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Minutes for SB113 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Providing for the legal use of medical cannabis.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 14, 2019
Chairperson Suellentrop opened the hearing on SB113.
Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor gave an overview of SB113. He took questions from committee members.
Senator Tom Holland, as a proponent of SB113, is asking for support of SB113, stating that the legislation provides a highly controlled, yet transparent framework for allowing Kansans safe and legal access to medical cannabis. He stated that Kansas citizens are demanding access to cannabinoids to treat their chronic pain issues. Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia already have medical cannabis laws on their books. Three of Kansas' four border state neighbors - Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado have legalized access to medical cannabis. Medical cannabis is also an effective tool for addressing the opioid crisis that is currently ravaging communities all across America.This legislation is called the "Veterans First! Medical Cannabis Act" due to recognition of the tremendous hardships our veterans have endured, both on and off the battlefields, and therefore rightfully put Kansas veterans in the front of the line for the first 60 days when Kansas dispensaries begin selling medical cannabis. (Attachment 4)
Senator David Haley stated in his proponent testimony that the passage of SB113 will Kansans to access marijuana for prescribed medicinal purposes. Supporters are otherwise law-abiding citizens who turn to natural holistic solutions to alleviate their personal physical or mental pain. (Attachment 5)
Representative Jim Karleskint, as a Vietnam Veteran supports the passage of SB113. Veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Agent Orange related illnesses have been shown to benefit from the use of medical cannabis. He is personally committed to helping Veterans and others that can benefit from medical cannabis. (Attachment 6)
Dennis Abbott gave proponent testimony as he believes medical cannabis would provide the relief needed for Veterans and lower the suicide rate of Veterans which averages 22 every day in the U.S. Additionally, the State of Kansas would profit as the state would get $21.75 plus sales tax from each ounce of cannabis sold to Kansas consumers. (Attachment 7)
Jason Dye testified as a proponent stating that he is a Veteran and suffers from service-connected PTSD, back and knee injuries. He believes that cannabis is safer and more effective at treating issues with chronic illness, chronic pain and relatable mental health diagnoses than other currently legal prescription medications. (Attachment 8)
Sarah Swain, in her proponent testimony that she is a daughter of a disabled Vietnam veterans and her entire life has been affected by her father's PTSD. Since he has treated his PTSD with the medicinal use of marijuana, it has improved nearly every area of his life. She stated that there is no argument - cannabis saves lives. The only problem is that getting caught with even a small amount of marijuana can and does have catastrophic consequences. (Attachment 9)
David Swain, is a disabled Vietnam veteran. He is 100% permanent and totally disabled. His disabling condition is PTSD. He has tried a multitude of prescription medications over the years and also has been in therapy. Cannabis has made the quality of his life better. He stated that the law needs to be changed - incarcerating people for using cannabis is not the answer. (Attachment 10)
Connie Kautz is a registered nurse and supports SB113. She has many health issues but is unable to take any narcotics for pain. She also spoke of her family's health issues and how pain medications can cause problems or do not alleviate the pain. She also spoke of the opiod crisis. She feels the use of medical marijuana would give Kansans a choice of another way to be pain free. (Attachment 11)
Spencer Duncan stated that medical cannabis laws are not a passing fad but are a growing national trend embraced by lawmakers and citizens on both sides of the aisle who recognize the medical benefits and that regulatory systems can be created to provide reasonable access. Thirty-three states have legalized forms of medical marijuana. A recent poll shows that 70.3% of Kansans support medical cannabis legislation compared to 22.1% who oppose. By 2020, Kansas will be surrounded by states who have passed medical cannabis legislation. (Attachment 12)
Chris Issinghoff is a resident of Kansas, a small business owners, an equity shareholder in a medical cannabis dispensary in Maryland and a psoriatic arthritis patient. He is a proponent of SB113 but cautions that amendments need to be implemented. It is a first step in creating a vibrant, safe and highly regulated medical cannabis program. Without the needed amendments patient access is diminished, initial costs to patients are higher than expected, regulation is slow to be implemented, and the industry is consolidated into a few companies. (Attachment 13)
Representative Holscher, in her testimony told of her daughter, at two years of age who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. After trying other available options of treatment, it was recommended that she start methotrexate for her condition. In researching methotrexate, she found the side effects to be disheartening. This led to her researching medicinal cannabis and found that all that she had believed about it was not as she had perceived. She also told of her dad's experience in treating his pain issues with CBD oil. (Attachment 14)
Questions were posed by Committee members.
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:
Chris Morrow, Executive Director, Kansas NORML (Attachment 15)
Nicholas Kasper, Veteran (Attachment 16)
Becky Plate, Individual (Attachment 17)
Tony Smith, Individual (Attachment 18)
Nathan Madden, Individual (Attachment 19)
Donn Teske, President, Kansas Farmers Union (Attachment 20)
Dr. Jay Robinow, Radiation Oncologist, Providence Medical Center, KC, KS (Attachment 21)
Azzy Reckess, President, Paz Management Inc. (Attachment 22)
Lisa Ash Sublette, President/Founder, Bleeding Kansas Advocates (Attachment 23)
Questions were posed by committee members.
Chairperson Suellentrop closed the hearing on SB113.
Chairperson Suellentrop adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. The next scheduled meeting is March 15, 2019.
