The city of Wichita was buzzing with discussions and opinions as the topic of cannabis legalization took center stage at an expo and town hall meeting on Saturday.
The Cannabis Justice Coalition group, which advocates for policy changes regarding cannabis use in the state, organized the meeting.
Candidates from different political parties, including Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and Independent, came together to express their perspectives on the importance of Kansas contemplating the legalization of cannabis in some capacity. This showcases a growing bipartisan interest in the matter as the state legislature gears up for its upcoming session.
Barry Grissom, a member of the Cannabis Justice Coalition, is hopeful that there will be more comprehensive discussions on the subject when lawmakers reconvene next year.
“We are optimistic that in the next legislative session, there will be a broader examination of this issue,” expressed Grissom. “There has been a lot of discussion about implementing a five-year pilot program. I have never come across a program of this duration, but that is what they are proposing. I hope it resembles Missouri’s model, which allows ordinary individuals to participate in the market.”
The town hall meeting comes after the formation of a dedicated committee on medical marijuana during the legislative break. Scheduled for later this month, the committee aims to explore possible legislation and gather input from different stakeholders.
