Derek Schmidt thwarts will of the people on marijuana crusades | Commentary

Nearly every other state in our country has some type of medical marijuana law on the books that helps individuals suffering from everything from cancer to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to migraines and more.

As Kansas fails to legalize the use of medical marijuana, we’re not only letting down those in our state with chronic illnesses, but we’re losing out on millions of dollars in economic revenue and hurting our small businesses.

I have long been a supporter of legalizing medical marijuana in our state. In Wichita – the largest city in Kansas – we went to the polls and voted in favor of reducing penalties for marijuana possession.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt went against the will of the people and overruled our voters by taking the case to the Kansas Supreme Court. Schmidt used his job to silence the voters. Now, he’s running for governor and asking for your vote, still actively opposing legalizing medical marijuana.

Medical marijuana has proven to help ease the pain for sufferers of a number of chronic illnesses or conditions. It helps people function without relying on addictive and over-prescribed opiates that have only added to our ever-growing opioid epidemic that has ravaged our country. Medical marijuana is a less harmful, non-addictive alternative that won’t destroy lives or communities.

While all the above are reasons enough to finally legalize medical marijuana, it would also help our economy and our small businesses. We are missing out on billions of dollars in revenue every year by not legalizing medical marijuana.

Just a few months ago, a legal opinion provided by Schmidt led to Topeka small businesses getting raided by the police, seizing over $120,000 in cash and products despite the business owner not breaking any laws. This limited the business owner’s ability to operate and make money.

Medical marijuana is popular – 68% of Kansans support legalizing it. Despite the many benefits and its popularity, Schmidt still opposes legalizing medical marijuana, and would not sign this into law if he were to become governor this fall.

This, in addition to his opposition to Medicaid expansion – which would increase access to health care for 150,000 Kansans and create 23,000 jobs and favored by over 72% of Kansans – proves Schmidt is out of touch with what a majority of Kansans need and want.

Marijuana policy was recently taken up by the Wichita City Council, and I applaud the members for their efforts to fulfill the will of the people – as it should be.

Gov. Laura Kelly supports legalizing medical marijuana use so chronically ill or disabled Kansans can be full participants in their communities and can live a pain-free life. She also supports expanding Medicaid in Kansas to help those without health care gain access to essential services, boost our economy, create tens of thousands of jobs, and protect our rural hospitals.

Kansas is only one of 12 states that has failed to legalize medical marijuana and to expand Medicaid. We will continue losing out on billions of dollars every year that we fail to legalize medical marijuana and expand Medicaid, and it’s hurting our people, our communities, and our economy.