Cannabis legalization emerges as issue in Kansas governor’s race ahead of August primary

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – With the August 4 primary approaching, cannabis legalization has become a point of division among Kansas governor candidates.

All Democratic candidates support legalizing at least medicinal cannabis, while no Republican candidates have backed the issue — despite survey data showing majority support among Kansas Republicans.

What the survey shows

A Kansas Speaks survey released in 2025 found that 70% of Kansans support legalizing medicinal cannabis, including 59% of Republicans. Kansas remains one of a few states where cannabis is not legal in any form. Several surrounding states, including Missouri, have legalized it.

Where candidates stand

Among Republican candidates, five offered their positions on the issue: four in opposition and one, Nick Reinecker, in support of marijuana legalization. Straying from the consensus of other Kansas gubernatorial candidates who weighed in, Reinecker shared a video to explain his position on the issue and offered the following statement on his campaign website:

“I am the only Republican candidate that will push to de-schedule cannabis, AKA marijuana and/or hemp and eliminate criminal penalties regarding the possession and planting thereof.”

Other Republican candidates who responded to the question of marijuana legalization:

• Ty Masterson: “In Topeka there isn’t support for it.”
• Scott Schwab: “I just think it’s safer if we don’t.”
• When asked about any use at all, Charlotte O’Hara simply said: “No.”
• Likewise, Philip Sarnecki expressed opposition to marijuana legalization in Kansas, both recreational and medical.

As of Tuesday, Democratic candidates Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher both support legalizing medicinal and recreational cannabis.

• Corson said: “It’s a revenue stream that will help us move forward.”
• Holscher said: “It’s a sensible step for us to take.”
• A third Democratic candidate said: “I think we should probably move forward with medical marijuana but we have to be careful about the regulations around it.”

Republican candidates Phil Sarnecki and Nick Reinecker had not responded to requests for comment on their positions as of the time of this report.

Dispensary owner weighs in

Brett Harris, owner of KannaBliss, said Republican candidates who have not engaged with the cannabis issue are making a political miscalculation.

“It really is astonishing if you are in politics and you’re cannabis uneducated. This is a huge topic that people surrounded by legal states want to focus on,” Harris said.

Harris said the survey data should prompt Republican candidates to reconsider their positions.

“If you’re not a Republican focused on this issue, you’re doing yourself a disservice,” he said.

He also pointed to the economic impact of Kansas residents crossing state lines to purchase cannabis.

“The economic impact this flower could actually have on the state of Kansas is actually huge. We’re seeing people driving to Missouri, to Oklahoma… if you’re a Republican candidate and you’re looking at this graph, at what point do you wake up?” Harris said.

Harris added that he believes the issue could influence the outcome of the general election.

“I think if you ignore the topic, you’re gonna feel it at the polls,” he said.