Kansas continues to enforce some of the strictest cannabis laws in the country, keeping recreational weed illegal and offering no full medical marijuana program under state law. While limited CBD products with zero THC are permitted under specific conditions, most forms of cannabis possession, cultivation, and distribution remain criminal offenses, even as neighboring states move forward with legalization. This page explains Kansas’s current marijuana legality, including recreational restrictions, the absence of medical cannabis access, CBD laws, possession penalties, and how the state compares regionally. For readers who want to explore how Kansas’s approach differs nationwide, see our comprehensive breakdown of cannabis regulations by location across U.S. states, major cities, and countries worldwide in the Cannabis Laws by Location guide.
Table of Contents
Is marijuana legal in Kansas
1. Recreational Marijuana
- Status: Illegal
- Possession Penalties:
- First offense: Misdemeanor, up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine
- Second or subsequent offenses: Felony, with potentially longer imprisonment and higher fines
- Cultivation and Distribution: Strictly prohibited, classified as felonies
2. Medical Marijuana
- Status: Not legalized
- There is no medical marijuana program in Kansas.
- Legislative Attempts: Multiple bills have been proposed in recent years to legalize medical cannabis, but none have passed
- Strong opposition in the state legislature continues to block meaningful reform
3. CBD Oil
- Legal Status: Very limited legality
- Claire and Lola’s Law (2018):
- Allows possession of CBD oil with 0% THC
- No provision for legal purchase or regulated supply
- Law only provides an affirmative defense (not full legal protection)
4. Public and Regional Context
- Public Opinion: Growing support among Kansans for medical marijuana
- Neighboring States:
- Missouri: Legalized both medical and recreational marijuana
- Colorado: Fully legalized
- This contrast highlights Kansas’s restrictive stance
Conclusion
Kansas enforces some of the most stringent cannabis laws in the U.S., with no access to legal medical or recreational marijuana, aside from non-psychoactive CBD oil with zero THC.
