State of Kansas Archives: on Drugs
Barbara Bollier:
Supports decriminalization of marijuana
Q: Keep illegal or decriminalize?Barbara Bollier: Decriminalize. Supports decriminalization of marijuana.
Roger Marshall: Keep illegal. Willing to consider medical use, but "not convinced it's medically proven."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Carl Brewer:
Legalize recreational marijuana to diversify farm crops
The three major Democratic candidates--Carl Brewer, Josh Svaty and Laura Kelly--all support medical marijuana. So do Republican Jim Barnett and independent Greg Orman. That doesn't mean their positions are all the same, however.In addition to medical
marijuana, Brewer supports the legalization of recreational marijuana as well. He said he hears on the campaign trail that farmers want to diversify their crops with marijuana and that it will provide relief for people with some health conditions.
Orman said that doctors who can prescribe Schedule II narcotics under the federal government's drug schedules should also be able to prescribe medical marijuana. Schedule II drugs are considered less dangerous than Schedule I drugs.
For the most part, the Republican candidates for governor are taking a harder line on marijuana. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer both indicated they don't support medical or recreational marijuana.
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2018
Chad Taylor:
Successfully prosecuted case on hallucinogenic level-2 drugs
District Attorney Chad Taylor announces that Austin Craig Tabor of Topeka, Kansas pled no contest and was convicted today of the following offenses in connection with homicide and drug charges related to an October 23, 2010 incident at Topeka West
High School: Murder in the Second Degree, a severity level 1, person felony, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a severity level 3, person felony, Conspiracy to Distribute a Hallucinogenic Drug within 1000 feet of a school, a severity level
2 drug offense, and Attempted Distribution of a Hallucinogenic Drug within 1000 feet of a school, a severity level 2 drug offense. Shawnee County District Court Judge Mark Braun accepted the defendant's pleas and set sentencing for
November 26, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. The case was investigated by the Topeka Police Department with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the U.S.D. 501 Police Department.
Source: D.A. office press release: 2014 Kansas Senate race
Sep 25, 2012
Chad Taylor:
Legalizing marijuana may decrease crime & increase revenue
Many states have already taken initiative when it comes to marijuana legalization, with more than half of them decriminalizing possession of small amounts or legalizing its medical use. I am interested, from a legal standpoint, to see what the
data say about the states that have legalized recreational marijuana, particularly as they relate to decreases in violent crime and increases in revenue sources for local taxing entities.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
Sep 1, 2014
Derek Schmidt:
Sued to strike down city marijuana decriminalization
In 2015, voters in Wichita decriminalized marijuana. However, the state's conservative Republican attorney general,
Derek Schmidt, who is running for governor next year, took the city to court and won a decision striking down the voter-approved measure [on] technicalities.
Source: Kansas City Magazine on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Aug 24, 2021
Derek Schmidt:
People influenced by chemical substances hurt innocents
While Schmidt does not personally favor the legalization of marijuana, he recognizes the trend toward legalization in surrounding states. "These decisions are not without cost," Schmidt said.
"Many people who are innocent get hurt by people whose behavior is influenced by chemical substances," he noted. "I am hopeful that Kansas will not rush down that road."
Source: Great Bend Tribune on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Jun 8, 2021
Derek Schmidt:
CBD seller has no right to sue state over police raid
A Kansas CBD seller who lost $120,000 during a police raid doesn't have the right to sue the state's AG or governor in federal court over the seizure, said Schmidt. He added the state's criminal statute needs to be determined at the state level first.
If Murray Dines, owner of Terpene Distribution, believes it's legal under state law to sell products containing Delta-8 THC in Kan., he should be required to make this argument in front of a criminal court, notes Schmidt's motion to dismiss.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
May 12, 2022
Greg Orman:
Legalize medical marijuana & decriminalize recreational use
Orman said that doctors who can prescribe Schedule II narcotics under the federal government's drug schedules should also be able to prescribe medical marijuana. Schedule II drugs are considered less dangerous than Schedule I drugs. The federal
government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, along with heroin, ecstasy and others. Schedule II includes meth and cocaine, but also legal drugs such as Adderall, Ritalin and OxyContin."In many instances, medical marijuana is the only way for
some patients to address pain, nausea and seizures. We should give doctors and patients the freedom to choose that treatment course," Orman said. He also said Kansas shouldn't waste criminal justice resources arresting, trying and incarcerating
people "just because they bought a dime bag of weed." He said recreational marijuana use should be treated like a speeding infraction, with law enforcement issuing a ticket and the offender paying a small fine.
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2018
Jeff Colyer:
Scourge of opioid and meth epidemics affect everyone
Many businesses say they have problems finding workers who can pass a drug test. This is a big reason why so many Kansans aren't benefitting from a growing economy. This scourge does not respect ethnicity, age, rich or poor, parent or child or county.
Hundreds of our neighbors have died. Believe it or not, the average life expectancy in the US decreased the last two years, and many experts cite the opioid and meth epidemics as a primary cause. I've seen this first hand among my own patients.
Source: 2018 Kansas Inauguration/State of the State speech
Feb 8, 2018
Jeff Colyer:
No proof that marijuana treats any medical conditions
For the most part, the Republican candidates for governor are taking a harder line on marijuana, while the Democratic candidates and Greg Orman all support medical marijuana. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer both indicated they
don't support medical or recreational marijuana."When it comes to recreational use, as a physician, I am inclined to follow the recommendations of the American Medical Association and they stand firmly opposed to the legalization of marijuana,"
Colyer said.
Colyer, a surgeon, said clinical trials have proven there is no sufficient evidence proving that smoking marijuana is an effective treatment for specific medical conditions.
Selzer and Colyer both said they support the medical use of
compounds derived from marijuana, such as CBD oil. Colyer signed legislation this year authorizing CBD products that don't contain THC, the ingredient in marijuana that produces a high.
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2018
Joan Farr:
Marijuana is not a gateway drug
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Marijuana is a gateway drug"?
A: OPPOSE
Source: OnTheIssues.org interview on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Dec 10, 2021
Kris Kobach:
Stricter punishment for importing & selling drugs
Kobach supports the following principles regarding drugs.- Support mandatory jail sentences for selling illegal drugs.
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Increase border security to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the United States.
- Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction
Source: 2004 Kansas Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2004
Kris Kobach:
Skeptical of medical marijuana; we can't limit it
For the most part, the Republican candidates for governor are taking a harder line on marijuana, while the Democratic candidates and Greg Orman all support medical marijuana.Kansas Secretary of State
Kris Kobach said he doesn't support recreational marijuana and is highly skeptical of medical marijuana. "I don't see any way that has been proven to be successful of limiting it to those who truly medically need it," Kobach said.
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2018
Laura Kelly:
Supports medical marijuana and treatment over incarceration
The three major Democratic candidates-Carl Brewer, Josh Svaty and Laura Kelly--all support medical marijuana. Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka, predicted Kansas is a long way from legalizing recreational use, in part because of the makeup of the Legislature.
Kansas needs to evaluate its sentencing guidelines, Kelly said, adding that the state's jails are full of nonviolent first time offenders who probably need treatment. Medicinal use is much closer to becoming reality, Kelly said.
Source: The Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2018
Patrick Wiesner:
Failure to stop opioid drug trade is a failure of government
Q: Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. and opioid addiction is becoming a big part of that. What role should the federal government have in curtailing this health crisis?WIESNER: The reports indicate that opioids are
manufactured in China and smuggled into the United States through Mexico. Failure to stop this drug trade is a failure of government. The President and Congress have the duty, tools, and public support to interdict.
Yet we still have more overdoses, more addicted, and more ruined lives. The problem has international implications; that means the federal government must be involved. Legalizing these drugs and marijuana would be surrender.
The American people should not tolerate this government failure. As Senator, I will advocate spending whatever it takes to fix this problem. Those in charge will be held accountable.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
Patrick Wiesner:
Legalizing pot would be surrender, but treat addicts who ask
Legalizing opioids and marijuana would be surrender. Our country is wealthy enough to afford drug treatment to everyone one who needs it and asks for it. I favor policy that will forgo prosecution of any addict who wants help.
Our country is also wealthy enough to commit the required resources to operations for finding the makers and transporters of all illegal drugs, destroying their means of drug production, and then putting the criminals on trial.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race
Oct 1, 2016
Randall Batson:
Legalization yields better results than current turf wars
Drug War: Just as in the era of alcohol prohibition, bad law has consequences to society. Non-violent offenses without intent to injure others should be non-criminal. Our laws create penal system tax burdens.
People purchase medication at pharmacies, alcohol at liquor stores, and cigarettes at tobacco stores. Legalization will present problems, yet will yield better results than the current black market turf wars and stray bullets.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign site batson4senate.weebly.com
Aug 31, 2014
Randall Batson:
Strongly supports legalizing marijuana
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Never legalize marijuana"?
A: Strongly Oppose.
Source: Email interview on Kansas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 19, 2014
Roger Marshall:
Supports cultivation of industrial hemp
While visiting southeast Kansas, Marshall said he is supportive of hemp cultivation. "I'm 100% behind industrial hemp," Marshall said. "You would pass out from smoke inhalation
before you would get high from hemp. So I'm OK with it. I think it's an alternative out there. It doesn't take much water. There are some opportunities out there for it, so I'm OK with hemp."
Source: Pittsburg Morning Sun on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Jan 6, 2020
Roger Marshall:
Willing to consider medical use but not convinced
Q: Keep illegal or decriminalize?Roger Marshall: Keep illegal. Willing to consider medical use, but "not convinced it's medically proven."
Barbara Bollier: Decriminalize. Supports decriminalization of marijuana.
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Derek Schmidt:
Medical marijuana with appropriate guardrails
Gov. Laura Kelly and Attorney General Derek Schmidt both expressed an openness to the legalization of medical marijuana.The second and final debate included the candidates' most extended back-and-forth on the legalization of medical marijuana, with
Schmidt saying he was open to the idea in limited circumstances and with appropriate guardrails. It was important, he said, for the governor to provide leadership, and he pushed for Kansas law enforcement, long skeptical of medical marijuana, to be at
the table. But he noted there were cases, such as veterans being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder, where there was wide agreement on the need for legalization. "The public policy issue is how do you draw that line," he said. "How to make sure
that we can accommodate the things the vast majority of people agree on and not fling open the doors to the harm that comes with what is essentially recreational use without regulation."
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Oct 5, 2022
Laura Kelly:
Pay for Medicaid expansion with proceeds from medical pot
Gov. Laura Kelly and Attorney General Derek Schmidt [at the second and final debate had an] extended back-and-forth on the legalization of medical marijuana, with Schmidt saying he was open to the idea in limited circumstances and with appropriate
guardrails.Kelly is a longtime supporter of legalization and introduced unsuccessful legislation last year to pay for Medicaid expansion with tax proceeds from medical marijuana sales.
She said she was glad Schmidt "finally agreed with me" and said it was a vital to keep residents in the state, though she also warned of mirroring Colorado's experience, where she said, "There really is a shop on every corner."
"This will be a very well-regulated industry that will ensure medical marijuana is being used appropriately and not inappropriately," she said. "We will not let it spread like wildfire."
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Oct 5, 2022
Laura Kelly:
Time for Kansas to finally legalize medical marijuana
There's another common-sense way to improve health care here in Kansas--and that's to finally legalize medical marijuana. In 39 other states, Americans with chronic pain, seizure disorders, and PTSD can access medical marijuana to relieve their
suffering. But it's still illegal here in Kansas. Every day, thousands of Kansans are forced to choose between breaking the law and living without pain. It is an unbearable choice--and an absolutely unnecessary one.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature
Jan 24, 2023
Cindy Holscher:
Include "medicinal cannabis" as experimental treatment
A Senate Democrat unsuccessfully attempted to insert "medicinal cannabis" among treatments allowed under a bill meant to broaden Kansans' access to experimental drugs. Democratic Sen. Cindy
Holscher, who introduced the amendment that would have legalized medicinal cannabis for terminally ill patients, later emphasized her intention was not to create a public medical marijuana program.
Source: KS Reflector's Anna Kaminski on 2026 Kansas Governor race
Feb 20, 2025
Ty Masterson:
Cannabis legalization bill is a non-starter
[On legalizing marijuana]: "I can tell you the bill that's in our committees right now is a non-starter," Masterson said. "Part of that is you've seen the disaster in Oklahoma… with cash transactions for land... you're seeing a lot of gang activity."
Last year's medical marijuana bill was put on hold. Law enforcement officials in Kansas spoke in opposition to the bill. Masterson also cited how law enforcement is dealing with legalization in other states, like Oklahoma.
Source: KSNT, "Weed", on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Jan 29, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026