Have you ever wondered why electing Democratic governors and down-ballot candidates matters? Today, in Kansas, Democratic Governor Laura Kelly offered a proposal that offered compassion to those who are sick and waiting treatment, as well as a way to help fund Medicaid expansion. The way to do it? By legalizing medical marijuana.
Governor Kelly looked at the numbers and realized both expanding Medicaid and legalizing medicinal marijuana are wildly popular, despite opposition in the statehouse. By tying both together, she is offering a solution to many communities who want to see Medicaid expand but bought into the talking point that it is just too expensive. From The Kansas Reflector
“In the face of the worst health crisis our country has seen in a century, I’m even more committed to delivering health care, jobs, federal dollars and protections for our hospitals to our state through expansion of Medicaid,” Kelly said. “The bill establishes the regulatory framework for the cultivation, testing, distribution, prescription and purchase of medical marijuana. Critically, the revenue the bill would generate each year pays for the cost of Medicaid expansion in full with money left over.”
Kelly said polling indicated about 70% of Kansans supported medical marijuana and Medicaid reform. Her proposed budget included money to handle Medicaid expansion for six months, which would give the state time to establish the regulatory framework for the marijuana initiative. She said one estimated indicated the state could receive $50 million annually through legalizing medical marijuana.
Kansas recently began looking at growing commercial hemp as an option for formers, giving them another cash crop in areas where there is difficulty staying profitable. The move by the governor today certainly gives many Democrats a new way to talk to a lot of voters going into 2022.