Marijuana Bill not Making it in Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A medical marijuana bill hasn’t gone far in

the Kansas Legislature.

Rep. Gail Finney, a Wichita Democrat, introduced the measure,

which would legalize marijuana use for registered patients served

by designated care centers. An 11-member state commission would

oversee the operation.

Advocates say pot reduces pain, moderates nausea and increases

appetite among people suffering from cancer, AIDS, multiple

sclerosis, hepatitis C and other maladies.

But The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the measure has been

a tough sell among Kansas legislators.

House Speaker Mike O’Neal, the Hutchinson Republican who

controls flow of legislation in the House, said he would not be

using his influence to advance Finney’s bill. And the chair of the

House’s health committee, Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita

Republican, hasn’t scheduled a hearing on the bill this session.