Topeka ? Legislation has been filed to legalize medical marijuana for people with debilitating conditions, such as cancer.

“I feel very strongly that the chronically and terminally ill should be allowed to use the medicine that works best for them without having to fear being arrested or thrown in jail,” said state Rep. Gail Finney, D-Wichita, who suffers from lupus.

“I am not advocating the use of cannabis for recreational types of activity,” Finney said Wednesday.

House Bill 2330 would provide for the registration and operations of not-for-profit “compassion centers,” which would have the authority to possess, cultivate, manufacture and dispense marijuana. Buyers would have to have a doctor’s prescription and a license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The license would permit them to possess up to six ounces of marijuana.

Medical marijuana would be allowed for patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis and others.

Currently, 15 states and Washington, D.C., have medical marijuana laws, Finney said.

Proposals have been made in the past in Kansas for medical marijuana, but they have never gotten anywhere in the legislative process.