Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 5028: Proposing to amend the bill of rights of the constitution of the state of Kansas by adding a new section relating to the right for adults to possess and use cannabis.

This bill proposes adding a new section to the Kansas Constitution to establish a legal right for adults to possess and use cannabis. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, it would grant adults the ability to hold and consume cannabis while allowing the government to enforce reasonable laws that protect public health, safety, and general welfare. The measure would be placed on the ballot for a public vote in November 2026, where a "yes" vote would enshrine this right in the state constitution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill decriminalizes cannabis for adults, reducing criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 5029: Proposing to amend the bill of rights of the constitution of the state of Kansas by adding a new section relating to the public right to possess and use cannabis for medical purposes.

This bill proposes adding a new section to the Kansas Constitution that would guarantee the public's right to possess and use cannabis for medical purposes. The amendment includes a clause allowing reasonable laws and regulations to protect public health, safety, and general welfare. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters in the 2026 general election, it would legally enshrine medical cannabis rights at the state level.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enshrines medical cannabis rights, protecting civil liberties and reducing criminalization of medical users, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enshrines the right to medical cannabis, expanding patient access to a treatment option and protecting patient rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Public Health

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 484: Moving marijuana from schedule I to schedule III of the uniform controlled substances act.

SB 484 reclassifies marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) from Schedule I to Schedule III under Kansas' Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This change directly affects Kansas residents who possess marijuana, altering the legal penalties for possession. Under the bill, simple possession would become a Class B nonperson misdemeanor (previously a felony for some cases), with penalties escalating based on prior convictions. The bill amends Kansas statutes K.S.A. 21-5706 and 65-4105 to reflect this reclassification and adjust corresponding penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReclassifies marijuana from felony to misdemeanor possession, reducing criminal penalties and aligning with drug policy reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 493: Adding an element to the crime of sexual exploitation of a child that involves communication through electronic means and social media and providing criminal penalties therefor.

SB 493 amends Kansas law to specifically address online grooming by adding a new provision (subsection a(5)) that makes it a crime to knowingly use electronic communication, social media, or text messages to gain a child's trust or prepare them for sexual exploitation. This directly affects individuals who engage in predatory digital communication targeting minors under 18. The bill defines "sexually explicit conduct" broadly and reclassifies certain violations as severity level 5 felonies (e.g., for communications involving children under 14). It also clarifies that possession of artificially generated images mimicking real children for sexual purposes is illegal. The law expands existing protections to cover digital interactions, not just physical acts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal penalties for online grooming targeting minors, strengthening law enforcement's ability to prosecute digital child exploitation under Kansas law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 503: Removing the criminal prohibition against firearm suppressors and firearm barrel length qualification requirement.

SB 503 would remove Kansas state criminal penalties for possessing firearm suppressors (devices that reduce gunfire noise) and for having firearms with specific barrel lengths. Currently, Kansas law makes it a felony to possess suppressors (under K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(4)) and prohibits shotguns with barrels under 18 inches or firearms with barrels under 12 inches (under K.S.A. 21-6301(a)(5) and (a)(14)). The bill amends these sections to eliminate those criminal prohibitions, meaning possession would no longer be a state-level crime. This change would directly affect firearm owners who currently face criminal charges for these items under Kansas law, though federal regulations (like NFA registration) would still apply. The bill does not alter federal law or create new firearm rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves criminal penalties for firearm suppressors and barrel lengths, reducing unnecessary criminalization in firearms policy, aligning with reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2679: Enacting the adult use cannabis regulation act to regulate the cultivation, manufacturing, possession and sale of cannabis in this state.

HB 2679 would establish a legal framework for the regulated sale and use of cannabis by adults 21 and older in Kansas. The bill creates licensing requirements for cannabis businesses (including growers, manufacturers, retailers, and testing facilities), mandates the clearing of past cannabis-related criminal records, and imposes an excise tax on cannabis sales. Revenue from this tax would fund child care, economic development, mental health services, low-cost housing, and property tax rebates through a new "cannabis business regulation fund." The law would replace existing cannabis laws and require businesses to follow specific safety, labeling, and operational standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax funding child care, mental health, and housing programs per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates clearing past cannabis-related criminal records, a direct criminal justice reform measure to reduce barriers for individuals with prior convictions.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates cannabis tax revenue to fund mental health services, directly advancing healthcare programs per topic description.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates cannabis tax revenue to fund low-cost housing, directly advancing affordable housing programs per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Drug Policy Mental Health Property Development Property Taxes

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2678: Enacting the Kansas medical cannabis act to authorize the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale and use of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products.

HB 2678 would establish Kansas' first legal medical cannabis program, allowing licensed businesses to cultivate, process, and sell cannabis products for medical use to qualifying patients. It requires the state to expunge past cannabis-related criminal records and imposes an excise tax on sales, with funds directed to child care, economic development, mental health, low-cost housing, and property tax rebates. The bill creates new licensing systems for cultivators, processors, and dispensaries, while exempting medical cannabis use from certain drug possession laws. It directly affects patients with qualifying medical conditions, licensed cannabis businesses, and the state's criminal justice and social service funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes excise tax on cannabis sales funding child care, mental health, housing, and property tax rebates, directly advancing public service funding through new revenue.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires expungement of past cannabis convictions, reducing barriers for affected individuals and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables medical cannabis access for patients and allocates excise tax revenue to mental health services, directly advancing healthcare access and funding.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs cannabis excise tax revenue to 'low-cost housing' programs, explicitly funding affordable housing initiatives as part of its tax allocation structure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Drug Policy Mental Health Property Development Property Taxes

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2159: Exempting law enforcement agencies who do not provide emergency opioid antagonistspursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director.

HB 2159 creates a $4 million annual grant fund to help law enforcement agencies purchase emergency opioid antagonists (like naloxone) for overdose response. It removes law enforcement agencies from the state's statewide opioid antagonist protocol, exempting them from requirements such as needing a physician medical director for their program. The bill also provides legal immunity for officers who administer these drugs during emergencies. Priority for the grants will go to small agencies that have adopted policies requiring opioid antagonist use.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides $4M grants for naloxone procurement and legal immunity for officers administering it during overdoses, enhancing law enforcement's emergency response capacity within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates $4M grant fund for naloxone access, removes bureaucratic barriers for overdose response, directly advancing public health emergency care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2354: Providing an exception to the crime of unlawful possession of controlled substances for residents of Kansas who possess marijuana and are disabled veterans with a valid medical marijuana card issued by any state.

HB 2354 amends Kansas law to create an exception for disabled veterans who possess marijuana. It exempts Kansas residents who are disabled veterans and hold a valid medical marijuana card issued by any state from prosecution under the state's marijuana possession laws. The bill adds this specific group to the list of legal defenses for possession under K.S.A. 21-5706, meaning they cannot be charged with a misdemeanor or felony for possessing marijuana. This applies only to veterans with a disability incurred during military service, as defined by the bill, and requires a valid medical card from any state, not just Kansas.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts disabled veterans with medical marijuana cards from possession prosecution, reducing criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform by expanding legal protections.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts disabled veterans with medical marijuana cards from possession charges, improving access to legal medical treatment for disabilities.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts disabled veterans with medical marijuana cards from possession charges, expanding healthcare access without legal penalty.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2198: Enacting the gun violence restraining order act to authorize the issuance of protective orders prohibiting the acquisition and possession of firearms by certain individuals.

HB 2198 creates a new court order called a "gun violence restraining order" that allows judges to prohibit certain individuals from possessing firearms if they pose a significant risk of harming themselves or others. This order can be requested by specific people, including current or former spouses, family members, individuals in a dating relationship, or those living in the same household, who must provide evidence of the risk. Courts must find "reasonable cause" to believe the person is a threat - considering past violence, threats, or other relevant facts - before issuing the order. The order prevents the restrained individual from acquiring or possessing firearms and may be issued without notifying them if immediate action is needed to prevent harm.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAuthorizes gun violence restraining orders to prevent firearm access by high-risk individuals, advancing public safety and criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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