Kansas does not currently have a medical marijuana program in place. It is one of just a few states in the U.S. without one. More and more states are legalizing each year, and Kansas might be next.
Kansas came close to legalizing cannabis for medical use this year. Senate Bill 158 passed through the House, but not the Senate. State lawmakers are set to vote on the bill again in 2022. Senate Bill 158 can always change before the 2022 vote, but the most recent version of this bill is what we will be referencing in this blog post.
The current text says oils, plant material, edibles, tinctures, patches, and additional forms that are approved by regulators will be permitted under Kansas’ future medical marijuana program. Registered patients in Kansas can possess up to a 30-day supply of medical cannabis. The amount equaling a 30-day supply hasn’t been determined yet, but it must total three ounces or its equivalent. The current bill has no language about home cultivation.
Quick Guide to Getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Kansas
Check Your Eligibility
Kansas will have a list of qualifying conditions to apply for the medical marijuana program if the bill passes next year. The most current list can be found down below.
Get A Doctor’s Recommendation
A physician or approved healthcare provider can recommend medical marijuana when the medical marijuana program is launched in Kansas.
Apply for Your Medical Marijuana Card
You will apply for your medical marijuana card with the state of Kansas after receiving a doctor’s recommendation.
Am I Eligible For a Medical Marijuana Card in Kansas?
The final list of qualifying conditions won’t be released until the bill is passed. Even after the bill is finalized, there might be opportunities for conditions to be added down the road.
The current list of qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card in Kansas in SB 158 includes:
- ALS
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia/Wasting syndrome
- Crohn’s disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDS
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Lupus
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Sickle cell anemia
- Spinal cord disease or injury
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Ulcerative colitis
- Pain that is either chronic and severe or intractable; or any other disease or condition adopted by the secretary of health and environment upon petition recommended for approval by the medical marijuana advisory committee.
Get a Doctor’s Recommendation for a Medical Marijuana Card in Kansas
Many states allow licensed nurses, physician’s assistants, and other healthcare providers to recommend medical marijuana. Currently, Kansas’ bill only mentions physicians “licensed to practice medicine and surgery in [the state] and who are certified by the Board of Healing Arts” as qualified healthcare providers to recommend medical cannabis. SB 158 does mention physician’s designees, which are other specific medical personnel who can do certain tasks like submit the application.
It’s not clear what the Board of Arts will require physicians to complete to receive a certification, but the healthcare provider you choose should feel comfortable answering your most important questions about medical cannabis. Make sure you talk with your doctor about any prescription medications you’re currently taking, as some research says certain drug interactions can occur.
Your physician’s recommendation is valid for 90 days, and the next step is applying for your medical marijuana card within that time frame.
Applying for Your Medical Marijuana Card in Kansas
The Secretary of Health and Environment will oversee Kansas’ future medical cannabis program, alongside a few other departments.
Once The Secretary of Health and Environment makes applications available, you can submit yours after getting a doctor’s recommendation. It will cost no more than $50 to apply for your medical cannabis card. Low-income people and veterans will have a maximum fee of $25.
Your medical marijuana card will be active for one year after applying. It will need to be renewed annually and the registration fee paid to continue accessing medical cannabis in Kansas.
Find a Cannabis Doctor in Kansas
Heally’s online network of physicians is ready to assist Kansas residents when the program launches. Our team will connect you with a doctor who can recommend medical marijuana. Fill out our contact form here to stay in touch, receive our email updates, and prepare for the upcoming medical marijuana program in Kansas.
