WAMEGO — With some restrictions on industrial hemp being lifted thanks to this year’s Farm Bill, Kansas legislators will begin to determine what impact that may have on the future of the agricultural economy.
51st District Representative Ron Highland (R-Wamego), a guest on KMAN’s In Focus recently, says after lawmakers passed a bill last year authorizing hemp research within federal regulations, the legislature may have to come back to the bill and potentially repeal it altogether. Highland says it could open up new income avenues for ag producers, but stopped short of saying that legal marijuana is a possibility in Kansas.
Highland explains his opposition to legalizing medical marijuana or recreational marijuana.
Highland says he will vote against medical and recreational marijuana if a bill comes up in the Kansas Legislature. He tells KMAN this is because of the negative claims associated with Colorado legalization.
Gov-elect Laura Kelly has expressed support for legalization of medical marijuana which could mean possible legislation in the 2019 session, which Highland does expect will come up before lawmakers. He does not believe the legislature would support a measure to legalize recreational marijuana any time soon.
