A bill that would legalize the use of marijuana for certain medical purposes could come up for a vote soon in a Kansas Senate committee, possibly in early March after lawmakers return from their midsession break. But the chairman of that committee isn’t predicting its chances of passing.

“I think we ought to vote. We shouldn’t try to dodge votes. But I haven’t made a final determination on that,” said Sen. Jacob LaTurner, R-Pittsburg, who chairs the Federal and State Affairs Committee.

LaTurner said he plans to start working bills in that committee after lawmakers return on Monday, March 6.

Lawmakers adjourned Thursday for a 10-day break after passing the midpoint of the session known as “turnaround day,” the deadline for most bills to pass out of the chamber where they originated. But the Federal and State Affairs Committee, which often deals with hot-button social issues, is one of a handful of committees whose bills are exempt from that deadline.

The medical marijuana bill — [Senate Bill 155, also called the Cannabis Compassion and
Care Act][1] — is the work of Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, who said he has introduced it in four of the last five years, with no success so far.

Haley, however, said he thinks “the greater national awareness of medical marijuana” may give it a better chance this year.

In short, it would authorize the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to issue permits for people with certain medical conditions to use marijuana for treatment of those conditions. It also authorizes the creation of nonprofit “compassion care centers” that would be allowed to dispense marijuana to those registered patients.

The medical conditions covered include cancer, glaucoma, positive HIV status, AIDS, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease or nail-patella syndrome. People could also qualify if they have any medical condition that results in cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe pain; nausea; seizures; or severe and persistent muscle spasms like those associated with multiple sclerosis.

The language of the bill notes that marijuana use is still a violation of federal law but that states are not required to enforce or prosecute violations of federal law. It also notes that 26 other states and the District of Columbia have legalized the medical use of marijuana.

Haley said LaTurner has not personally given him an assurance that the bill will come up for a vote. “But I know that he is hearing from many of his own constituents in his district in Crawford County that the bill deserves to be heard,” he said.