Dear editor,
Kansas continues to be one of the few states without a regulated medical cannabis program. Senate Bill 294, the Kansas Medical Cannabis Act, was introduced to address this gap by creating a system that would allow individuals with qualifying medical conditions to access cannabis under medical supervision. However, the bill remains stalled in the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs, with no clear path forward.
As graduate students studying social work and policy at Wichita State University, we have spent time examining this issue and engaging with legislators and advocacy organizations to better understand the factors influencing the bill’s lack of progress. Through this process, one thing has become clear: the conversation around medical cannabis in Kansas is complex, shaped by concerns related to public safety, medical efficacy and regulatory oversight.
At the same time, many Kansans continue to seek alternative treatment options when traditional approaches have been ineffective or produce difficult side effects. In other states, regulated medical cannabis programs have been implemented with systems designed to prioritize safety, physician oversight and controlled distribution. These models offer examples of how access and regulation can coexist.
Rather than viewing this issue as a simple yes-or-no debate, we believe it deserves thoughtful consideration and open discussion. Kansans benefit when policies are evaluated through a balanced lens that considers both potential risks and potential benefits.
Regardless of where individuals stand on this issue, greater transparency around the legislative process is important. Understanding why SB 294 remains stalled and what factors are influencing decision-making would allow for more informed public dialogue and civic engagement.
We believe in the importance of policies that are informed, equitable and responsive to community needs. Continued discussion and evaluation of medical cannabis policy in Kansas is an important part of that process.
— Haley Golightley
Lameisha Gray
Amber Koehn
Master of Social Work Students
Wichita State University
Tonya Boland • Apr 23, 2026 at 3:46 am
Yes it does, just few months after my 39 yr old sister passed away from stage 4 colon cancer I met a man in full remission from the same thing. He shared with me that he had used RSO( Rick Simpson Oil) made from his marijuana and taken by mixing with tea and honey. My sister lived 35 miles away across the state line from Oklahoma in Kansas where she was pumped full of chemo and radiation and lost her battle 1 year from diagnosis leaving behind her beautiful daughter. The state of Kansas made the decision that my sisters life was expendable because they won’t legalize medicinal Marijuana. Devastating.