The ongoing discussion regarding the future of marijuana in Kansas is set to continue in 2025.
A special committee has been tackling the topic every legislative session since 2021. Some are getting tired of it going no where for Kansas, when surrounding states all have legalized at least medical marijuana.
The Special Committee for Medical Marijuana isn't new in Kansas. For years its heard reports and testimonies from groups like the ACLU and the Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, who support potential positive impacts.
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"Year after year, we go into these meetings with the special committees with, you know, good faith and understanding that they are going to come into these meetings prepared and well informed," says Erren Wright with the Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce. "And we're absolutely seeing the opposite of that."
On the other side of the aisle are law enforcement groups like the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The Director of KBI in his testimony said he quote "believes the legalization of marijuana, whether it be for medical or recreational purposes would be a mistake that will cause increased criminal behavior, increased mental illness and psychoses in our young adults, and will make our citizens less safe and less healthy."
Another topic discussed includes financial impacts of legalized marijuana. In 2023 Missouri generated more than $1.3 billion in marijuana sales according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Dispensaries have been popping up more and more often across Missouri, with many Kansans actually crossing the border to purchase products. The Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce says people need to just look at Missouri to see the opportunities may be missing out on.
"And you guys are doing really well bringing in tax dollars and putting those funds into schools and public policies, and to rehab programs and we still have committee members that are telling us, well, we don't have research," says Wright.
This year the Kansas Special Committee voted against recommending legislation to their peers, but opted to see how other states continue to vote.
The Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce say they don't see a legal program coming to the state anytime soon.