Second Kansas Democratic Candidate for Governor Announces Support for Broad Cannabis Reforms 

Another Kansas Democratic gubernatorial candidate is backing both medical and adult-use cannabis legalization in the state. In a statement released last week, state Sen. Ethan Corson said, “It’s time for Kansas to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana.”   

“Nearly every other state in the country now allows some form of medical marijuana, and nearly half have legalized recreational use. Kansas is falling behind while people suffering from chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, and other serious conditions are denied relief, and tax dollars that could be invested into education here are crossing the border into other states. As governor, I will support thoughtful legalization, with commonsense guardrails that protect public safety while respecting personal freedom and increasing revenues.” — Corson in a statement 

According to a Change Research survey commissioned by Civic Clarity released last month, Corson is polling third among Democratic candidates for the governorship. 

The current Democratic frontrunner, state Sen. Cindy Holscher, has also come out in support of the reforms. In a statement posted to Facebook last week from the parking lot of a Missouri dispensary, Holscher noted the lot was “full of Kansas plates” which meant “a lot of Kansas tax dollars going straight into Missouri’s pocket.”  

“Most Kansas voters think marijuana should be legal our state,” she said in the video, “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.”     

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