Cannabis in Kansas

Cannabis in Kansas refers to the drug cannabis in Kansas, United States, where it is illegal for all purposes, and possession of even small amounts is a misdemeanor crime. Cannabis is only legal in Kansas in the form of a THC free cannabidiol oil, also known as CBD.[1]

History

1927 prohibition

In the early 20th century, most states west of the Mississippi enacted laws banning cannabis, with Kansas doing so in 1927.[2]

2013–2015 medical cannabis attempts

Senate bill 9 was pre-filed by David Haley (D) on January 10, 2013. This cannabis compassion and care act will allow the use of medical marijuana for certain debilitating conditions. Patients would be allowed to own 12 plants or 6 ounces of marijuana for therapeutic purposes. [3] During the 2015 legislative session, the equivalent bill was passed in the House in mid-2015, but stalled in the Senate, who intend to reopen discussion of the bill in 2016.[4] The bill would also decrease penalties for cannabis possession, and order a state study of industrial hemp.[5]

2015 Wichita decriminalization

In April 2015, the city of Wichita voted to decriminalize cannabis municipally, with a vote of 54-45, reducing first time possession to a criminal infraction with a $50 fine, rather than a misdemeanor with fines up to $2500 and a year of jail time, as under state law. The Kansas Attorney General stated that he would sue the city if the measure passed, arguing the city does not have legal authority to reduce cannabis penalties.[6] The Kansas Attorney General subsequently sued the city to hold the initiative. The Wichita City Council later unanimously voted to approve a similar ordinance in 2017.[7]

Shona Banda case
Main article: Shona Banda

In March 2015, Garden City resident Shona Banda, who uses medical cannabis to treat her debilitating Crohn’s disease, was arrested and charged with five felony counts in relation to cannabis. Banda's usage of medical cannabis had been discovered after her 11-year-old child spoke publicly of his mother's usage at school; the boy was removed from her home by Child Protective Services and later placed with Banda's ex-husband. Banda faces up to 30 years for her use and possession of cannabis.[8]

Lawsuit against Colorado

In 2015, 10 sheriffs from Kansas and two other states sued the state of Colorado, alleging that the state's legalization of cannabis was placing an undue burden on law enforcement in neighboring states.[9][10] The lawsuit was unsuccessful.

CBD oil

On May 14, 2018, Governor Jeff Colyer signed SB 282 which exempted CBD oil from the definition of marijuana, which allowed the legalization of CBD oil.[11][12]

Criminal penalties

The first possession charge of less than 450 grams will result in a misdemeanor with a 1-year incarceration sentence and a $2,500 fine maximum. A subsequent offense for possessing any amount can result in a fine of $100,000 and a sentence of up to 3½ years. Sale or distribution of any amount can result in a $300,000 to $500,000 fine and an incarceration sentence depending on the quantity and severity of the offense.[13]

References
  1. "SB 282" (PDF).
  2. Richard Davenport-Hines (29 November 2012). The Pursuit of Oblivion: A Social History of Drugs. Orion Publishing Group. pp. 126–. ISBN 978-1-78022-542-5.
  3. "11 States with Pending Legislation to Legalize Medical Marijuana - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org". Medicalmarijuana.procon.org. 2015-02-19. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  4. Post Staff. "Kansas marijuana bill hits roadblock in state Senate". The Salina Post.
  5. "Kansas marijuana bill hits roadblock in state Senate". CJOnline.com.
  6. "Vote to decriminalize marijuana passes in Wichita". KSN-TV.
  7. "City gives initial OK on marijuana ordinance". Wichita Eagle.
  8. Schulte, Brigid (8 June 2015). "Mom who uses medical marijuana faces up to 30 years in prison". Washington Post.
  9. "Kansas sheriffs sue Colorado for legalizing marijuana". KMBC. 5 March 2015.
  10. Chokshi, Niraj (5 March 2015). "Colorado gets sued by a third group over marijuana legalization". Washington Post.
  11. "Join the Marijuana Policy Project". Marijuana Policy Project. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  12. "Kansas: New Law Excludes CBD From The Criminal Code - NORML - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws". norml.org. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  13. "Kansas Laws & Penalties". Norml.org. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
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