State Sen. David Haley, D-4th Dist., and State Rep. Gail Finney, D-84th Dist., are planning a rally in the Topeka Capitol rotunda today to support the passage of a medical marijuana bill.
Sen. Haley is the sponsor of the Cannabis Compassionate Care Act, Senate Bill 9. Rep. Finney is the sponsor of a similar measure, House Bill 2011. The rally is scheduled for 1 p.m.
During the day, patients and their caregivers plan to lobby legislators in Topeka. Among the patients are children and adults who have severe seizure disorders such as Dravet Syndrome, the most severe form of epilepsy. The Epilepsy Foundation supports access to medical marijuana for epilepsy patients.
The bill quotes medical studies that state that marijuana has a therapeutic value in treating a wide array of illnesses, such as cancer and glaucoma, and its use has encouraged patients to finish their treatments for HIV-AIDS and hepatitis C. Under the legislation, marijuana could be prescribed by doctors.
Two groups, Bleeding Kansas and Kansas for Change, are among those supporting the medical marijuana bill. Almost half of the states now allow medical marijuana.
In a recent newsletter, Sen. Haley stated that he had introduced this bill in previous sessions but it had not received a committee hearing yet.
“Given the revenue shortfall Kansas faces and the support from voters in 24 other states and the District of Columbia, I remain upbeat that 2015 may mean change for ‘Senate Bill 9,’” Sen. Haley stated.
The bill is in the Health and Public Welfare Committee,
www.kslegislature.org/li/b2015_16/measures/sb9/.