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Top Candidates for Kansas Governor Disagree on Medical Marijuana

Hemp seedlings pictured in a file photo from Harvest Public Media
Hemp seedlings pictured in a file photo from Harvest Public Media

The top contenders running for governor say Kansas should not follow Colorado’s lead and legalize recreational marijuana, but they differ on medical marijuana.

At a debate this week, Democratic state Senator Laura Kelly said a well-regulated medical cannabis system could cut health care costs and offer a treatment alternative to opioids.

“We know from our hospice work and from opioid abuse that there’s a real use for medical marijuana,” Kelly said.

Independent Greg Orman also supports medical marijuana and says penalties for pot possession should be lowered.

Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach said those proposals should go up in smoke, because medical marijuana systems can be abused and lead to recreational use.

“It becomes a ridiculously open gateway for people to just use it for recreational purposes,” Kobach said.

Kobach said products made from cannabis, such as CBD oil, already offer some treatment options.

Libertarian candidate for governor Jeff Caldwell wants to fully legalizing marijuana in Kansas.

Another independent candidate for governor, Rick Kloos, doesn’t fully support legalization but does want to decriminalize marijuana use.

Stephen Koranda reports:


 

Stephen Koranda is KPR's Statehouse reporter.