This edition of Health at the Capitol looks into the medical marijuana debate in Kansas by comparing two comprehensive medical marijuana bills introduced during the 2021 legislative session.
Health at the Capitol is a weekly summary providing highlights of the Kansas legislative session, with a specific focus on health policy related issues. Sign up here to receive these summaries and more, and also follow KHI on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Previous editions of Health at the Capitol can be found on our ARCHIVE PAGE.
On May 6, 2021, the Kansas House passed House Substitute (H. Sub.) for SB 158, which would create the Kansas Medical Marijuana Regulation Act and the Kansas Medical Marijuana Regulation Program; define terms related to the bill; amend laws concerning crimes, child welfare, employment and discipline of certain medical professionals; create provisions to address federal re-scheduling of marijuana; and rename the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue, as the Division of Alcohol and Cannabis Control. After the House passed the bill, Senate President Ty Masterson stated he did not anticipate the Senate taking up the bill this session but noted the bill would be available for consideration during the 2022 session and suggested that a joint committee may consider it during the interim period. On May 7, the Senate ruled the bill as “materially changed” and referred it to the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee. SB 315, which would create the Kansas Medical Marijuana Regulation Act, also was introduced by the Senate on May 7 and was referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.
This summary of medical marijuana legislation in Kansas compares select provisions in H. Sub. for SB 158 (124 pages) and SB 315 (84 pages). (Text in bold indicates material differences between the bills.)