Kansas lawmakers introduce bills to decriminalize marijuana

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Kansas lawmakers introduced two bills aimed at decriminalizing marijuana. While previous attempts have failed, the legislation this year has some major differences.

These are two separate bills. One that decriminalizes marijuana for recreational use. The other legalizes marijuana for medical purposes. But both include provisions that would return 40 percent of the revenue to the people of Kansas.

The bills are sponsored by 19 Democrats from the Kansas House, including Representative Ford Carr from Wichita. Carr said both bills would establish the cannabis industry, which is estimated to give the state between $750 million and $1 billion in revenue each year.

This isn’t any different from previous legislation. What is different is that 40 percent of that revenue would be returned to Kansans. Representative Carr says that this money would be used to address various concerns, such as childcare, homelessness and property taxes.

“Those carve outs are set in stone, that’s where these funds will go, they will go back to the people,” said Carr. “It’s the residents that need the help, right? The state has been able to maintain itself.“

Senate President Ty Masterson has previously stated marijuana will not be decriminalized as long as he is in power. Therefore, the bills face an uphill battle, but Carr believes the changes will help to gain support from other Republican lawmakers.

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