Here's why these marijuana products are now allowed in Kansas — even without medical cannabis law
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While legislators fell short of legalizing medical marijuana in Kansas, a new form of marijuana will be available to residents under legislation signed Thursday by Gov. Laura Kelly.
The bill would allow Kansans to be prescribed medication derived from cannabis-related products, the active ingredient found in cannabis, provided the drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
One cannabis-derived drug has already been approved by the FDA, signing off on the drug Epidiolex in 2018. Restrictions on that medication have been fully lifted under the Kansas legislation, with the drug used to treat epilepsy caused by two rare conditions, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
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Three synthetic cannabis-related products have also been signed off on by the FDA, all of which are used to treat nausea in those undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment, as well as AIDS patients.
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But more drugs are expected to get approval shortly and lawmakers wanted to be well-positioned for the state to take advantage of that slow expansion.
"There are a number of products currently in clinical trials anticipated to be submitted for FDA-approval in the coming months and years," Alexandra Blasi, executive secretary of the Kansas Board of Pharmacy, said in a statement. "Now Kansas will be among the first to allow these drugs to be lawfully prescribed in our state if and when the FDA deems them safe and effective.”
The legislation wasn't without controversy, however.
Originally, lawmakers included in the bill a provision legalizing test strips that test for fentanyl in drugs. The item, which had bipartisan support, ultimately was struck after concerns from Senate Republicans.
And it comes as medical marijuana struggled to gain traction, despite passing the Kansas House in 2021.
In a statement after the Legislature adjourned for the year, Sen. Rob Olson, R-Olathe, chair of the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee, said that "I regret and take responsibility" for the policy not passing his chamber, though he said key issues still needed to be resolved on the matter.
Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, told reporters last month it was uncertain any of the proposals to date would have been able to get a majority of votes needed for passage in his chamber.
"I think the subject matter is mature and you will see it next year," Masterson said.
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Governor signs bill to establish new 988 suicide prevention hotline
Kelly also signed legislation creating regulations and infrastructure for the 988 suicide prevention hotline, which is set to go live next month.
The bill had an eventful history in the Legislature, temporarily being bogged down in an unrelated series of bills rolling back COVID-19-related restrictions.
The hotline, allowing Kansans to dial 988 and speak with a trained operator who can help them access mental health resources, was going to go live whether the legislation passed or not.
But the bill allocated $10 million for current and future call centers and also allows the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to set regulations, including the establishment of mobile response teams who can respond to individuals in mental health crisis in lieu of law enforcement.
Advocates have praised the new hotline as a s moment for mental health in Kansas.
"The creation of the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline will provide Kansans immediate access to qualified mental health care providers during moments of crisis,” Kelly said in a statement. “There’s no doubt, having mobile crisis teams just a phone call away will save lives."
Andrew Bahl is a senior statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at abahl@gannett.com or by phone at 443-979-6100.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Medical marijuana isn't legal in Kansas. Cannabis medication is legal.
