Kansas Governor Candidate Pushes Cannabis Legalization Platform

The current Democratic frontrunner for Kansas governor is calling for both medical and adult use cannabis legalization in the state. In a video posted to Facebook from the parking lot of a Missouri dispensary – just across the state line from her Johnson County home, State Sen. Cindy Holscher noted that the lot was “full of Kansas plates.” 

“That’s a lot of Kansas tax dollars going straight into Missouri’s pocket. Most Kansas voters think marijuana should be legal our state, but because it isn’t Kansans buy it out of state and we miss out on the opportunity to raise more money for schools and public services.” — Holscher in a video posted to Facebook 

Holscher noted that last year Missouri raised $255 million in tax dollars from cannabis sales in the state. 

“That’s real money that can make a big difference for Kansans,” Holscher said in the video. “Legalizing means we’ll build an industry in Kansas of farmers and small businesses, and we’ll keep our tax dollars in state to benefit our schools.” 

Holscher added that cannabis legalization is “common sense” and that adults should be allowed to consume cannabis “safely and responsibly.” 

A recent survey from Change Research, commissioned by Civic Clarity, which operates the Capitol Bee news entity, found Holscher with 37% of support among those surveyed in the poll, while Johnson County state Sen. Ethan Corson received 10% support, and Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog with 7%.  

A Kansas Speaks poll published in February found 70% of Kansans support medical cannabis legalization, while 60% back adult use reforms.