State of Kansas Archives: on Drugs


Barbara Bollier: Supports decriminalization of marijuana

Q: Keep illegal or decriminalize?

Barbara Bollier: Decriminalize. Supports decriminalization of marijuana.

Roger Marshall: Keep illegal. Willing to consider medical use, but "not convinced it's medically proven."

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Kansas Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Roger Marshall: Willing to consider medical use but not convinced

Q: Keep illegal or decriminalize?

Roger Marshall: Keep illegal. Willing to consider medical use, but "not convinced it's medically proven."

Barbara Bollier: Decriminalize. Supports decriminalization of marijuana.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Kansas Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Roger Marshall: Supports cultivation of industrial hemp

While visiting southeast Kansas, Marshall said he is supportive of hemp cultivation. "I'm 100% behind industrial hemp," Marshall said. "You would pass out from smoke inhalation before you would get high from hemp. So I'm OK with it. I think it's an alternative out there. It doesn't take much water. There are some opportunities out there for it, so I'm OK with hemp."
Source: Pittsburg Morning Sun on 2020 Kansas Senate race Jan 6, 2020

Carl Brewer: Legalize recreational marijuana to diversify farm crops

The three major Democratic candidates--Carl Brewer, Josh Svaty and Laura Kelly--all support medical marijuana. So do Republican Jim Barnett and independent Greg Orman. That doesn't mean their positions are all the same, however.

In addition to medical marijuana, Brewer supports the legalization of recreational marijuana as well. He said he hears on the campaign trail that farmers want to diversify their crops with marijuana and that it will provide relief for people with some health conditions.

Orman said that doctors who can prescribe Schedule II narcotics under the federal government's drug schedules should also be able to prescribe medical marijuana. Schedule II drugs are considered less dangerous than Schedule I drugs.

For the most part, the Republican candidates for governor are taking a harder line on marijuana. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer both indicated they don't support medical or recreational marijuana.

Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race Jun 29, 2018

Greg Orman: Legalize medical marijuana & decriminalize recreational use

Orman said that doctors who can prescribe Schedule II narcotics under the federal government's drug schedules should also be able to prescribe medical marijuana. Schedule II drugs are considered less dangerous than Schedule I drugs. The federal government classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, along with heroin, ecstasy and others. Schedule II includes meth and cocaine, but also legal drugs such as Adderall, Ritalin and OxyContin.

"In many instances, medical marijuana is the only way for some patients to address pain, nausea and seizures. We should give doctors and patients the freedom to choose that treatment course," Orman said. He also said Kansas shouldn't waste criminal justice resources arresting, trying and incarcerating people "just because they bought a dime bag of weed." He said recreational marijuana use should be treated like a speeding infraction, with law enforcement issuing a ticket and the offender paying a small fine.

Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race Jun 29, 2018

Jeff Colyer: No proof that marijuana treats any medical conditions

For the most part, the Republican candidates for governor are taking a harder line on marijuana, while the Democratic candidates and Greg Orman all support medical marijuana. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer both indicated they don't support medical or recreational marijuana.

"When it comes to recreational use, as a physician, I am inclined to follow the recommendations of the American Medical Association and they stand firmly opposed to the legalization of marijuana," Colyer said.

Colyer, a surgeon, said clinical trials have proven there is no sufficient evidence proving that smoking marijuana is an effective treatment for specific medical conditions.

Selzer and Colyer both said they support the medical use of compounds derived from marijuana, such as CBD oil. Colyer signed legislation this year authorizing CBD products that don't contain THC, the ingredient in marijuana that produces a high.

Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race Jun 29, 2018

Kris Kobach: Skeptical of medical marijuana; we can't limit it

For the most part, the Republican candidates for governor are taking a harder line on marijuana, while the Democratic candidates and Greg Orman all support medical marijuana.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach said he doesn't support recreational marijuana and is highly skeptical of medical marijuana. "I don't see any way that has been proven to be successful of limiting it to those who truly medically need it," Kobach said.

Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race Jun 29, 2018

Laura Kelly: Supports medical marijuana and treatment over incarceration

The three major Democratic candidates-Carl Brewer, Josh Svaty and Laura Kelly--all support medical marijuana. Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka, predicted Kansas is a long way from legalizing recreational use, in part because of the makeup of the Legislature. Kansas needs to evaluate its sentencing guidelines, Kelly said, adding that the state's jails are full of nonviolent first time offenders who probably need treatment. Medicinal use is much closer to becoming reality, Kelly said.
Source: The Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race Jun 29, 2018

Jeff Colyer: Scourge of opioid and meth epidemics affect everyone

Many businesses say they have problems finding workers who can pass a drug test. This is a big reason why so many Kansans aren't benefitting from a growing economy. This scourge does not respect ethnicity, age, rich or poor, parent or child or county. Hundreds of our neighbors have died. Believe it or not, the average life expectancy in the US decreased the last two years, and many experts cite the opioid and meth epidemics as a primary cause. I've seen this first hand among my own patients.
Source: 2018 Kansas Inauguration/State of the State speech Feb 8, 2018

Patrick Wiesner: Failure to stop opioid drug trade is a failure of government

Q: Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. and opioid addiction is becoming a big part of that. What role should the federal government have in curtailing this health crisis?

WIESNER: The reports indicate that opioids are manufactured in China and smuggled into the United States through Mexico. Failure to stop this drug trade is a failure of government. The President and Congress have the duty, tools, and public support to interdict. Yet we still have more overdoses, more addicted, and more ruined lives. The problem has international implications; that means the federal government must be involved. Legalizing these drugs and marijuana would be surrender. The American people should not tolerate this government failure. As Senator, I will advocate spending whatever it takes to fix this problem. Those in charge will be held accountable.

Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race Oct 1, 2016

Patrick Wiesner: Legalizing pot would be surrender, but treat addicts who ask

Legalizing opioids and marijuana would be surrender. Our country is wealthy enough to afford drug treatment to everyone one who needs it and asks for it. I favor policy that will forgo prosecution of any addict who wants help. Our country is also wealthy enough to commit the required resources to operations for finding the makers and transporters of all illegal drugs, destroying their means of drug production, and then putting the criminals on trial.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal voter guide: 2016 Kansas Senate race Oct 1, 2016

Randall Batson: Strongly supports legalizing marijuana

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Never legalize marijuana"?

A: Strongly Oppose.

Source: Email interview on Kansas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues Sep 19, 2014

Chad Taylor: Legalizing marijuana may decrease crime & increase revenue

Many states have already taken initiative when it comes to marijuana legalization, with more than half of them decriminalizing possession of small amounts or legalizing its medical use. I am interested, from a legal standpoint, to see what the data say about the states that have legalized recreational marijuana, particularly as they relate to decreases in violent crime and increases in revenue sources for local taxing entities.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com Sep 1, 2014

Randall Batson: Legalization yields better results than current turf wars

Drug War: Just as in the era of alcohol prohibition, bad law has consequences to society. Non-violent offenses without intent to injure others should be non-criminal. Our laws create penal system tax burdens. People purchase medication at pharmacies, alcohol at liquor stores, and cigarettes at tobacco stores. Legalization will present problems, yet will yield better results than the current black market turf wars and stray bullets.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign site batson4senate.weebly.com Aug 31, 2014

Chad Taylor: Successfully prosecuted case on hallucinogenic level-2 drugs

District Attorney Chad Taylor announces that Austin Craig Tabor of Topeka, Kansas pled no contest and was convicted today of the following offenses in connection with homicide and drug charges related to an October 23, 2010 incident at Topeka West High School: Murder in the Second Degree, a severity level 1, person felony, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a severity level 3, person felony, Conspiracy to Distribute a Hallucinogenic Drug within 1000 feet of a school, a severity level 2 drug offense, and Attempted Distribution of a Hallucinogenic Drug within 1000 feet of a school, a severity level 2 drug offense. Shawnee County District Court Judge Mark Braun accepted the defendant's pleas and set sentencing for November 26, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. The case was investigated by the Topeka Police Department with the assistance of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the U.S.D. 501 Police Department.
Source: D.A. office press release: 2014 Kansas Senate race Sep 25, 2012

Kris Kobach: Stricter punishment for importing & selling drugs

Source: 2004 Kansas Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

  • The above quotations are from State of Kansas Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Drugs:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN)
Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021