Susan, a retired nurse in her 60s, grows weary of being labeled as a “bandit” every time she enters Kansas with what the state categorizes as cannabis contraband.
The gummies have been the sole source of nighttime relief for her rheumatoid arthritis, a condition she has been dealing with for the past three decades. Her husband vividly remembers her exclaiming the morning after trying the gummies that it was the most restful sleep she had experienced in years. In addition to the gummies, she has also found relief through a cannabis lotion she obtained from another state.
Ken, a 66-year-old retired businessman, prefers taking gummies over the addictive opioids he has been prescribed in the past for his chronic back pain.
“I don’t experience the side effects typically associated with regular painkillers, such as constipation, and I appreciate the fact that it is a natural product,” he mentioned.
He also experiences neuropathy in his feet. To alleviate the intense nerve pain, he consumes half of a 25-milligram gummy every night, which greatly aids in his sleep. In situations when he is unable to travel out of state to acquire his preferred supply, he resorts to using hemp-derived gummies that are accessible from local CBD shops. However, he finds that these alternatives are not as potent in providing relief.
Hemp and marijuana are both types of cannabis plants, but there is a notable difference in the levels of THC, the psychoactive compound. Hemp plants have significantly lower levels of THC compared to marijuana. In Kansas, it is possible to purchase cannabis products derived from hemp due to a federal loophole established by the 2018 farm bill, which legalized hemp.
Ken and Susan, residents of Sedgwick County, view the consumption of cannabis products as more than just getting high.
Ken and Susan, whose real names are being withheld for their legal protection, are seeking relief from chronic medical conditions. Despite the resistance from the Kansas Legislature to legalize medical marijuana or decriminalize any form of marijuana use, they are willing to go against the law in order to find the relief they need.
Seniors are fastest-growing group of cannabis users
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As people grow older, it is becoming increasingly common for individuals like Susan and Ken to embrace the use of cannabis.
According to the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Americans aged 65 and above are now the fastest-growing group of cannabis users. This federal study has been collecting data for over fifty years on the usage of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.
According to the survey data released in fall 2023, the usage of [the product/service] among seniors has tripled since 2009. In 2009, only 11% of seniors were using [the product/service], whereas in 2019, the number increased to 32%.
There is a growing shift in attitudes and legal status towards marijuana in many parts of the United States.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, medical marijuana has been legalized in 38 states as of 2023. Additionally, recreational use of marijuana is also legal in 24 of those states, including neighboring Colorado and Missouri.
The federal government might also make some changes regarding marijuana.
In mid-January, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a medical review that backs the reclassification of marijuana as a drug with lower risks. Currently, it falls under the category of Schedule I drugs, which are considered the most perilous controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Schedule I drugs are characterized by their lack of medical benefits and higher potential for abuse.
The FDA is urging the DEA to consider classifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug, joining the ranks of substances with lower or moderate potential for abuse and addiction, such as Tylenol with codeine. In its review, the FDA also discovered credible evidence supporting the therapeutic applications of marijuana.
Medical value of cannabis
Cheryl Kumberg, an experienced registered nurse with over 45 years of experience, has long been aware of the medicinal benefits of cannabis. As a proud member of the American Cannabis Nurses Association and the current president of the Kansas Cannabis Coalition, a prestigious advisory group dedicated to cannabis reform in Kansas, she is surrounded by a team of experts. This influential board consists of doctors, nurses, a hemp grower, a legislator, and even Barry Grissom, a former U.S. attorney.
According to the expert, there has been a significant amount of success in using cannabis for healing and symptom relief. The advancements in research have provided substantial data that strongly supports the use of cannabis and its various applications.
In 2019, she and fellow registered nurse Amy Reid founded Green Healing Solutions with the aim of providing educational resources on the medical application of marijuana for patients, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and the general public.
As part of their education, they emphasize the importance of using cannabis products in a cautious and gradual manner. The key advice is to start with a low dosage and slowly increase it as needed.
When Ken shops at a dispensary outside of his home state, he appreciates the fact that the staff takes the time to engage with customers and provide valuable information about the potency and usage of the products.
Advocates for the legalization of medical marijuana have often witnessed firsthand the positive effects of its use or have had personal experiences that have shaped their support for it.
When Reid witnessed the transformative effects of cannabis on her aunt’s last moments while battling a terminal illness, she felt compelled to become an advocate.
In an interview posted on the coalition’s website, Reid shared that the woman experienced a remarkable transformation. She went from enduring extreme pain, feeling nauseous, and being very anxious to returning to her old self. Now, she can share stories, savor meals, and relax once more.
Chuck Schmidt, a former representative for Kansas’ 88th District and the current speaker pro tem for the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature, has encountered similar stories, according to him.
A heartbreaking anecdote was shared with him by a man whose daughter was suffering from cancer. Despite being able to access a cannabis product through Texas’ stringent medical use program, the daughter had to endure unimaginable pain during her final days when she returned to Kansas to be with her family.
The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature has recently proposed a resolution to legalize medical marijuana, which they have forwarded to the Kansas Legislature for consideration during the current session.
Little appetite in Kansas Legislature
The Kansas Legislature has thus far rejected all attempts to legalize marijuana in any form. Although the Kansas House approved a bill in 2021 that sought to legalize medical marijuana, the Kansas Senate failed to take action, resulting in the bill’s demise. In 2022, the legislature convened a special committee specifically focused on addressing the issue of medical marijuana.
According to Kumberg, the main issue in Topeka is the inability to distinguish between the establishment of a medical program and the implementation of recreational use. He points out that a significant portion of the legislative testimony has focused on recreational matters, rather than emphasizing the need for a well-regulated medical program.
Susan expressed her frustration, emphasizing that the significance of passing this law is often overlooked, particularly for the elderly. She highlighted the fact that some individuals struggle to even hold a cup of coffee due to the pain in their hands. Susan emphasized that people fail to recognize the potential benefits of this law for such issues, clarifying that the intention is not to use it for recreational purposes.
Susan is well aware of the stigma surrounding marijuana use. Initially, when her husband suggested that she try cannabis to alleviate her pain, she hesitated. She recalled her teenage beliefs that associated marijuana users with high school dropouts.
Ken finds that whenever he dons his “Legalize It” sweatshirt featuring a marijuana leaf, it becomes a catalyst for engaging conversations.
According to him, numerous individuals express their desire to witness identical action.
“I always emphasize to them that the power to make this a reality lies in their hands. It’s frustrating that we haven’t been able to find the right individuals in positions of power who can push for the legalization of medical marijuana.”
Schmidt expressed his skepticism about the legalization of medical marijuana in Kansas this year, based on his experience dealing with the Legislature.
“We have been working on this issue for a considerable amount of time. Our resolution, proposed by the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature, aims to establish a medical cannabis advisory board that will thoroughly examine the potential benefits and risks of legalizing medical cannabis.”
In the meantime, Susan and Ken have made it clear that they will persist in bringing in their own supply, regardless of its legality.