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Bill introduced to legalize marijuana in Kansas

Friday, February 5, 2010

Reader poll

Do you support legislation to legalize marijuana in Kansas?

Yes 95%
No 5%
Undecided 1%

1449 total votes.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas legislator has introduced a bill that would legalize marijuana for people suffering from chronic illnesses who have a doctor’s prescription for the drug.

Rep. Gail Finney, a Wichita Democrat, introduced a bill that would set up state-registered “compassionate care centers” where people with prescriptions could buy marijuana.

Supporters of medical marijuana says it helps ease pain from chronic diseases.

“I just think it’s the right thing to do,” said Finney, who says her lupus makes her sympathetic toward those with diseases such as Parkinson’s, cancer and HIV.

But Rep. Scoot Schwab, a Republican from Olathe, opposes the plan.

“Let’s be honest, this would be an attempt to legalize marijuana,” Schwab said Wednesday. “It has no benefit for pain management. All it does is make you crave another bag of chips.”

The bill was introduced the same week that lawmakers voted to make Kansas the first state to outlaw a synthetic form of pot, known as K2.

But Finney said several lawmakers have told her they support legalizing medical marijuana.

“Everybody said ’oh, it’s a good idea, but I don’t want to touch it,”’ she said.

Keith Stroup, founder of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said his group’s studies have found that 80 percent of Americans favor medical marijuana.

“Even in Midwestern states like Kansas, where the politics can be conservative, people support this,” he said. “We’ve largely won the hearts and minds of the American public, but we haven’t yet figured out fully how to translate that into public policy.”

Former Kansas Attorney General Bob Stephan, who underwent chemotherapy for cancer in the 1970s, said he expects lawmakers to legalize medical marijuana after they realize it won’t hurt them politically.

“For some reason marijuana just drives people up the wall,” he said. “It’s OK to have morphine and every drug known to man — some with just awful side effects. But not marijuana.”

A legislative hearing for Finney’s bill hasn’t been scheduled.

Comments

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

“For some reason marijuana just drives people up the wall,” he said. “It’s OK to have morphine and every drug known to man — some with just awful side effects. But not marijuana.”

Pretty logical to me, sense seems to be in short order when this topic comes up. Whether it is now or later I am positive that in my lifetime it will be legalized.

February 5, 2010 at 9:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

barefootin (anonymous) says...

Goodoleboy, ditto. The pain medicines used by chronic pain sufferers are addictive and cause them to become confused, marijuana dosent have as serious side effects as they do.

February 5, 2010 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

koalemos (anonymous) says...

"A legislative hearing for Finney’s bill hasn’t been scheduled."

I is time to contact your representatives. Let them know how you feel about this issue. Force them to take it up in the legislature and and vote on it. I will engourage my representative to vote yes. If he votes against it, I will vote against him.

February 5, 2010 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Here come the pot farmers.

February 5, 2010 at 9:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

marko (anonymous) says...

wonder if overproduction will drive down the price.

February 5, 2010 at 10:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

chrissylynn_2 (anonymous) says...

has anyone seen how much money the state of california made from taxes on marijuana last year?

February 5, 2010 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Have I got a deal for Don Hill!

You get this passed and we can buy the land next to the drive through window and set up greenhouses and a compassionate care center. Man the profits would be fantastic.

I really don't see a problem here, unless the lawmakers make it one. Vote for it please and get on with more important things like taxes and budgets

February 5, 2010 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...

chrissylynn

I haven't seen an exact number, but marijuana is the #1 cash crop in California, worth more than DOUBLE the vegetable and grape crops combined. And if it were treated and taxed like alcohol, I'm sure that number would double again.

February 5, 2010 at 10:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

blulitespecial (anonymous) says...

My first take(with zero coffee in me) is "What the hell are you thinking"? Look at the financial shape California is in after 50plus years of the anything goes attitude. I was stationed there for 2 years in the early 70's.But I do 'know a guy' that has the same I do.He used a little pot to actually get hungry enough to eat anything at all and help keep it down.Also helped him cope with the tubes coming out of his belly.That's over now,cause he can't smoke it in a hospital bed.Doubt that he comes home again.After my stroke,I lost interest in food.Even bread tasted like burned motor oil.Lost almost 20 pounds.But I never had the desire to smoke it.So I'm not sure in this case.I do think even if it were "fully legal"and taxed,you'll still have a criminal element involved somehow.Heck it can't be any worse than it is now(or can it?)
I won't hold a vote for this against a conservative candidate.Kind of a non-issue for me.

February 5, 2010 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...

There would still be a criminal element, but should people with chronic illnesses be forced to go to a drug dealer to get the medicine that actually works for them? And if it were "fully legal and taxed," would you rather buy your medicine from a drug dealer and risk going to jail, or just go by the pharmacy?

February 5, 2010 at 11:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

blulitespecial (anonymous) says...

Yup-Too bad grandpa's breaking the law to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner!

February 5, 2010 at 11:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

blulitespecial (anonymous) says...

Like I said,I won't hold a vote for this against a conservative candidate.

February 5, 2010 at 11:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

toofast (anonymous) says...

If they don't want to legalize pot they should at least decriminanize small amounts. It should be a fine at most, for small amounts for personal consumption. Many states are changing their laws in this direction.

February 5, 2010 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

solong (anonymous) says...

The combined effect of taxing marijuana and eliminating the money spent on apprehending, prosecution, and incarcerating people for this drug would be an enormous step in the right direction and free up law enforcement to focus on many more realistic problems. However, having spent a significant percentage of my adult life as an occasional pot smoker I have learned that like so many other drugs including alcohol there needs to be controls and limitations if one is to operate a vehicle.

February 5, 2010 at 12:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

eucharistandcannabis (anonymous) says...

I believe it is our duty to help our neighbors who are ill, to be sympathetic and humane. To see a loved one, friend, even a stranger, in agonizing pain when medicinal marijuana would provide that welcomed relief... I say make haste with passing this legislation.

Thank you.

February 5, 2010 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jmcmannis (anonymous) says...

Here Here I support this bill, now I wonder who I must call. I have friends that have used for medical benefits yes they lived in Cali and one here in ks. Unlike some pain medications which can affect your liver like mine is Maryjane can be found at times growing wild free of any farmers. It is a natural herb found in nature much like peyote in cactus.

Bring on the Medical Maryjane please

February 5, 2010 at 1:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MadMack (anonymous) says...

Smoking for health reasons? Smoking anything is bad for the lungs. If there is a beneficial chemical it can be isolated and put in a safer form. Legalizing smoking pot is as dumb as keeping smoking tobacco legal, but if it is legal, then it is legal so go for it.

February 5, 2010 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MadMack (anonymous) says...

If you want to smoke dope and this is just the scam you plan on using, then at least have the guts to say so (any mouse can), and try to have the courage of your convictions. Otherwise keep pretending and we will all just assume the "truth".

February 5, 2010 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

eucharistandcannabis (anonymous) says...

Help those who are suffering.

February 5, 2010 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MelissaGarrison (Melissa Garrison) says...

MadMack: "Smoking for health reasons? Smoking anything is bad for the lungs. If there is a beneficial chemical it can be isolated and put in a safer form."

Smoking is harmful, but there is actually a device called the Volcano Vaporizer that can be used with medical marijuana. Instead of inhaling smoke, the user inhales vapor - reaping the benefits of pot but without the consequences of smoke inhalation.

https://www.thevolcanovaporizer.com/

February 5, 2010 at 4:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

sweetsmile (anonymous) says...

There's no point in passing this law.. it would just make the real people who actually use marijuana, actually want more and will think that it's ohkay, and no one will get in trouble if you see them in public smoking it, ugghhhh no point!

February 5, 2010 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tallicamantw01 (anonymous) says...

Do you support legislation wanting to legalize a state wide smoking ban?
Thanks for your vote.

Yes 55% 211 votes
No 42% 162 votes
Undecided 1% 7 votes
380 total votes
WOW!! I'm impressed with the previous comments, mostly all support this . Where's the anti smokers? Where's the nay sayers?

February 5, 2010 at 5:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

eucharistandcannabis (anonymous) says...

@sweetsmile - A doctor's note would be required to have possession of the medical marijuana. We should think first of those who are suffering, unfortunate and in need.

February 5, 2010 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hellfirebluefish (anonymous) says...

Yeah just think about all the people that die from complications of prescription drugs every year. Look at the celebs that died this year as a direct result from the prescription drugs. I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies will try to block this again.

NORML dot ORG

February 5, 2010 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

history_nerd (anonymous) says...

Talli-

I'm going to venture a guess and say that most people who need medical marijuana wouldn't feel like going out and smoking in public anyway.

February 5, 2010 at 6:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

koalemos (anonymous) says...

sweetsmile is probably a drug dealer. Legal drug dealers cannot patent marijuana so they foresee a profit loss due to people coming off their pills and illegal drug dealers foresee a profit loss due to their felony convictions that will prevent them from becoming licensed. Neither want to see the laws change.

February 5, 2010 at 6:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

biscuitboy (anonymous) says...

My mother was addicted to prescription pain and sleeping pills for years before she died. They ruled her life just as surely as people claim the illegal drugs do. But they were all prescribed by a doctor and so very legal. None of that made her any less of an addict.

But people will argue they also have beneficial medical uses, and they do. So does medicinal marijuana. Given the choice I would of a hundred times preferred my mother been on it that the sedatives and barbiturates that used up her life.

February 5, 2010 at 6:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...

Holy cow has anyone seen the legalize marijuana poll? 95% of 1,200 people voting yes and not a single comment about it? I didn't know the Gazette even had 1,200 readers.

February 5, 2010 at 11:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MadMack (anonymous) says...

The drug advocates are skewing the results (OBVIOUSLY). One of them should write a piece on why they like to be doped up.

February 6, 2010 at 8:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...

MadMack

An honest question. How does one skew the results? I tried to vote twice but it said my vote wasn't recorded the second time. Every vote would have had to come from a different computer.

>One of them should write a piece on why they like to be doped up.

You would get a story from a dying person who actually needs to be doped up. You need to think more about the people who are suffering and less about the hippies.

February 6, 2010 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MelissaGarrison (Melissa Garrison) says...

Can you, in fact, vote twice? I also wondered if someone was doing the same thing, just because I was surprised at the overwhelming support on the issue.

I think the poll should instead ask, "Do you support legislation to legalize medical marijuana in Kansas?" Leaving out the word "medical" makes a big difference in the meaning of the question...

February 6, 2010 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...

I tried to vote twice and it wouldn't let me, If the Gazette uses your IP to make sure you don't vote twice, that's good, but if they are relying on information from your browser, you could vote over and over by simply clearing your "cookies".

So I tried clearing the history, and still could only vote once, but I tried a different browser, and it let me vote again, The only problem is most people don't have more than two browsers, and wouldn't know that they could do that. Maybe someone more computer savvy than I am could chime in on this...

The poll about Obama's first year had almost 1300 votes also. This poll only has about 30 more votes than that one did, I honestly don't know many people who are against medical marijuana, It's impossible to OD on it, unless you can smoke 40,000 times more pot than it takes you to get stoned before you fall asleep. :) These patients are just trying to get to the "stoned" part, where they are comfortable and relaxed. And I met several medical marijuana patients in my old apartment building in Denver and they were all very nice people, and none of them smoked outside. None of them would share either.

February 6, 2010 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )