Laura Kelly on Drugs

	Laura Kelly on Drugs

Time for Kansas to finally legalize medical marijuana

There's another common-sense way to improve health care here in Kansas--and that's to finally legalize medical marijuana. In 39 other states, Americans with chronic pain, seizure disorders, and PTSD can access medical marijuana to relieve their suffering. But it's still illegal here in Kansas. Every day, thousands of Kansans are forced to choose between breaking the law and living without pain. It is an unbearable choice--and an absolutely unnecessary one. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature , Jan 24, 2023

Pay for Medicaid expansion with proceeds from medical pot

Gov. Laura Kelly and Attorney General Derek Schmidt [at the second and final debate had an] extended back-and-forth on the legalization of medical marijuana, with Schmidt saying he was open to the idea in limited circumstances and with appropriate guardrails.

Kelly is a longtime supporter of legalization and introduced unsuccessful legislation last year to pay for Medicaid expansion with tax proceeds from medical marijuana sales. She said she was glad Schmidt "finally agreed with me" and said it was a vital to keep residents in the state, though she also warned of mirroring Colorado's experience, where she said, "There really is a shop on every corner."

"This will be a very well-regulated industry that will ensure medical marijuana is being used appropriately and not inappropriately," she said. "We will not let it spread like wildfire."

Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race , Oct 5, 2022

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

Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs. Click here for a summary of all issue stances of Laura Kelly. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Laura Kelly. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Laura Kelly. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Laura Kelly. Click here for issue positions of other KS politicians. Click here for KS primary archives. Click here for KS secondary archives.
*Other governors on Drugs:*			*Laura Kelly on other issues:*
*KS Gubernatorial:* Chase LaPorte Derek Schmidt Jeff Colyer *KS Senatorial:* Barbara Bollier Barry Grissom Dave Lindstrom Jake LaTurner Jerry Moran Joan Farr Kris Kobach Mark Holland Michael Soetaert Pat Roberts Susan Wagle	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4. Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4. Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate). Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025) Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]