Fact Checked by Doctor NameMarijuana rules have been a hot topic throughout the United States, and many states have legalized weed for medical or casual use.
But pot use and ownership are still against the law in Kansas.
This article will give you an overview of Kansas’ marijuana rules, including their limits, fines, efforts to change them, and the present state of marijuana in the state.
Introduction to Kansas Marijuanas Law
Table of Contents
Kansas maintains some of the strictest marijuana laws in America even as public attitudes and neighboring state policies relax.
Cannabis is a Schedule I substance in Kansas under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, established over a decade ago. This Act bans marijuana possession, sale, and usage in Kansas.
Unlike over 30 states with medical marijuana programs or decriminalization policies, Kansas statutes provide no exceptions for cannabis access or use.
The state’s unbending perspective makes marijuana illegal for medical, recreational, or personal use.
Those caught with any amount still face stiff criminal penalties – not fines or citations. Kansas has resisted pressure to soften its hardline marijuana prohibition despite progressive shifts across the heartland.
The state continues holding firm in its restrictive marijuana policies even as advocates call for reform aligned with changing attitudes.
Also Read:
- Weed Measurements Guide: Weight, Quantities & Price
- How Many Grams in a QP?
- How Many Grams in a Zip?
Legal Status: Is Marijuana Legal in Kansas?
Even though medical marijuana is legal in 33 states and casual use is legal in 19, the rules about marijuana in Kansas have not changed.
No bills to remove weed from the state’s standard controlled drugs act have been passed. This means that weed is entirely against the law in Kansas.
Possession of any amount, even small quantities for personal use, can lead to a criminal misdemeanor charge.
The sale, distribution, trafficking, cultivation, and manufacture of marijuana are classified as drug felonies.
There are no legal means to purchase, possess, or consume cannabis in Kansas.
Also Read:
- How to Detox From Marijuana?
- PGR Weed Guide: Understanding Risks & Solutions
- Tiburón Weed: Your Ultimate Guide
Where Can You Legally Use Weed in Kansas?
Marijuana usage, even for medicinal reasons, is prohibited under current Kansas law. This eliminates the options for purchasing, growing, or using cannabis lawfully.
Possession charges may result from their public usage. Neither medicinal nor recreational marijuana users are protected by state law.
Some key points on where marijuana use remains illegal:
- Private homes – No legal allowance for personal use on private property. Landlords can prohibit tenants from possessing marijuana.
- Public spaces – Using cannabis anywhere viewable from a public place can still lead to marijuana possession charges.
- Federal land – National forests, parks, and other federal property within Kansas prohibit marijuana. Federal legislation prohibits interstate cannabis transport.
- Medical use – There are no legal exemptions for medical marijuana patients in Kansas. Recommendations from doctors do not provide any legal protections.
Also Read:
Weed Possession and Cultivation Regulations in Kansas
Kansas statutes prohibit the possession, cultivation, sale, and use of any amount of marijuana. Key regulations include:
- No legal amount – Possessing any usable amount of cannabis is illegal. There is no legal exemption for minor personal use quantities.
- Hash and concentrates – Marijuana extracts and concentrates like hash, wax, and THC oil are also Schedule I substances under Kansas law.
- Home cultivation – Growing any number of marijuana plants is a drug felony under Kansas law. There are no allowances for personal or medical growth.
- Public consumption – Smoking, vaping, or otherwise consuming cannabis in public areas or viewable from a public place can lead to possession charges.
- Paraphernalia – Possessing or distributing any equipment, product, or material used for making, using, or concealing marijuana is illegal.
Also Read:
Penalties for Marijuana Offenses in Kansas
For having, selling, or making marijuana in Kansas, there are harsh consequences.
Even the first time you break the law for personal use, you can go to jail and pay a lot of money.
Critical marijuana offense penalties include:
- Possession – Any usable amount is a class A misdemeanor. Penalties are up to 1 year in jail and fines up to $2,500. Subsequent offenses can lead to double penalties.
- Distribution – Selling or sharing any amount of marijuana is a drug felony. This can result in over a year in state prison and fines exceeding $100,000. Harsher penalties apply for sales to minors.
- Cultivation – Growing marijuana is a drug felony. Penalties range from over a year in prison to fines exceeding $500,000, depending on the number of plants.
- Extracts and hash – Kansas charges level 4 narcotics felony possession of marijuana extracts and hashish. Up to 42 months in jail and $300,000 fines are possible for this offense. Kansas prohibits cannabis-derived concentrated THC possession.
- Paraphernalia – The possession of bongs, pipes, or other cannabis accessories is a class A misdemeanor with up to a year in jail and $2,500 in fines.
Also Read:
Medical Cannabis Regulations in Kansas
There isn’t a legal medical marijuana program in Kansas yet. In 2022, a bill to legalize medical cannabis was passed by lawmakers, but the Governor blocked it. Because no laws have been passed yet, there are no formal rights for patients or clinics.
These measures require a doctor’s recommendation and state program registration to get medicinal marijuana lawfully.
The introduction of these proposals reflects changing views toward regulated medicinal marijuana usage in Kansas.
If passed, dispensaries could eventually provide regulated medical cannabis products to registered patients.
Home cultivation may also be allowed for personal medical use. But until new laws are approved, there are no legal medical exemptions.
Other State Guide to Marijuana Legalization
Impact of Marijuana Legalization Trends in Kansas
Despite restrictive state policies, trends toward marijuana legalization in the U.S have impacted Kansas:
- Colorado – Legalized recreational marijuana sales across the border have increased cannabis trafficking into Kansas. But transporting any amount remains illegal.
- Public support – Over 60% of Kansas residents now support legalizing medical marijuana, signaling shifting views. But legislative change needs to be faster to materialize.
- Enforcement – Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 34% increase in marijuana seizures from 2020 to 2021 as legal access expanded in nearby states. But penalties remain harsh for possession.
- Black market – As more states legalize, illegal importing, distribution, and use is increasing in Kansas. An unregulated market persists without legal recreational or medical sales.
- Arrests – Even with rising public support, Kansas marijuana arrests increased in 2021, according to state crime reports. Possession makes up the majority of cannabis-related arrests.
Advocacy and Efforts for Reform in Kansas
Advocates and lawmakers continue working to reform Kansas marijuana policies:
- Medical marijuana – Advocacy groups like the Kansas Cannabis Industry Association continue lobbying legislators to legalize medical cannabis access. Another legislative push is expected in 2023.
- Decriminalization – Some lawmakers want to reduce penalties for personal possession. No bills have passed, but decreasing penalties could ease strict enforcement.
- Legalization – Full recreational legalization has less political momentum currently. But downstream impacts from neighboring legal states may shift views in coming years.
- Local initiatives – Activists are pursuing city-level decriminalization policies in places like Wichita, Kansas City, and Lawrence to incrementally reform strict state laws.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q: Is medical marijuana legal in Kansas?
A: No, there is currently no legal medical marijuana program in Kansas. Possession of cannabis for medical use remains illegal.
Q: What sanctions apply to marijuana sales in Kansas?
A: Selling any amount of marijuana is a level 2 drug felony punishable by 19 to 42 months in prison and fines up to $100,000 for first offenses. Penalties increase dramatically for sales to minors.
Q: Is marijuana decriminalized in any Kansas cities?
A: A few cities like Lawrence, Wichita, and Kansas City have passed local ordinances directing police to ticket rather than arrest for minor marijuana possession. But state law overrides these policies, so marijuana is not truly decriminalized.
Q: Does Kansas allow expungement for prior marijuana possession convictions?
A: No, Kansas has no expungement law for prior cannabis offenses, even minor possession. Advocates are pushing for record-clearing reforms.
Q: Is it legal to have CBD oil without THC in Kansas?
A: Kansas law permits CBD products containing no THC, like those derived from hemp. THC remains illegal.
Conclusion
Marijuana laws in Kansas remain among the strictest in the nation. But public opinion and policy trends point toward future reforms.
Advocates continue pushing for medical marijuana legalization or reduced criminal penalties.
Still, any local marijuana use, possession, or cultivation remains illegal across Kansas for the foreseeable future.
While tough in-state cannabis policies persist, expanding marijuana access in neighboring states will likely increase pressure for change.
Kansas may eventually follow other conservative states in legalizing medical marijuana or decriminalizing small amounts. But until legislative action occurs, those caught with cannabis face stiff legal penalties.
