Kansas legislators are gearing up to tackle the complex issue of medical marijuana in preparation for the 2025 legislative session. The Legislative Coordinating Council has approved two days of interim hearings, as reported by the Kansas Reflector, to explore the potential for legalizing medical cannabis in the state. Senator Michael Fagg, who championed the hearings, emphasized the need for further study, particularly in light of recent federal developments regarding marijuana’s drug classification.

The committee will examine how other states have implemented medical marijuana programs, with a focus on access for veterans and end-of-life patients. Additionally, they’ll consider the implications of the U.S. Department of Justice’s proposal to reclassify cannabis as a Schedule III drug. These hearings represent a significant step for Kansas, one of the few remaining states without a medical marijuana program, as it weighs joining the growing number of states embracing cannabis for medicinal use.