A newly filed Senate bill in Kansas would create a medical marijuana pilot program in the state—but the measure is facing early criticism from advocates who say it’s overly restrictive and would lead to unfair “monopolies” in the market while limiting patient access.
After several unsuccessful attempts to legalize medical cannabis in a more conventional manner in recent sessions—including through a bill that passed the full House of Representatives in 2021—the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee is now sponsoring new legislation, introduced on Monday, to authorize a pilot program that would launch later this year.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment would be responsible for overseeing the program, and regulators could only approve licenses for four vertically integrated cannabis operators across the state. Pharmacies could also be permitted to sell medical marijuana.
To participate in the program, patients with one of 16 qualifying conditions—including cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain—would need to obtain a certification from a physicians.
There are a number of restrictions built into the legislation, including a ban on smoking marijuana products. However, flower could be inhaled through non-combustable vaporization. Cannabis pills, tinctures, patches and ointments would also be permitted. Patients could not
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