KANSAS MEDICAL POT MEASURE LANGUISHES

A bill that would allow people suffering from debilitating illnesses
to use marijuana as part of their treatment was introduced in the
state House this year, but didn't get out of committee.

Supporters said they will try again next year.

"If we regulate it and provide oversight, I think we can do it in a
very controlled manner, and it would be beneficial for Kansas," said
the bill's sponsor, Rep. Gail Finney, D-Wichita, who suffers from lupus.

Finney's bill, HB 2330, is in the Health and Human Services Committee
and not expected to be considered in the wrap-up session that starts
next week.

Rep. Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, who chairs the committee, said
there's no interest among lawmakers in pursuing it.

Finney disagreed, saying there is bipartisan interest in the bill in
Topeka, as well as wide public support.

HB 2330 would provide for the registration of patients and regulation
of nonprofit "compassion care centers," which would have the authority
to dispense marijuana.

Buyers would have to have a doctor's prescription and a license from
the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The license would
permit them to possess up to 6 ounces of marijuana in a 30-day period.

The bill also would establish an 11-member Compassion Board within the
KDHE. The KDHE would regulate the compassion care centers, issue ID
cards to caregivers, and establish a Web-based verification system so
law enforcement officials and compassion center staff members could
verify registrations 24 hours a day.

The bill would require people lawfully using marijuana under the act
to pay a drug tax.

Finney, who introduced similar legislation last year, said she asked
House speaker Mike O'Neal, R-Hutchinson, for a hearing on HB 2330. She
said he told her he was against the bill and wouldn't allow it to be
debated.

O'Neal was unavailable for comment.

Supporters of the bill plan to hold a mass call-in to O'Neal on
Wednesday, asking him for a hearing on it next year.

"We think that as an elected official, it is his job to at least have
a hearing and get educated on this issue," said Jason Selmon, who is
organizing the call-in.

Selmon is founder of the Kannabis Project, a grassroots organization
that wants to reform marijuana laws in Kansas.

Selmon said the group plans to hold a series of town hall meetings
over the summer to try to build support for a hearing on the issue
next year.