By NOMIN UJIYEDIIN 

TOPEKA, Kansas — When it comes to medical marijuana, Kansas may end up looking more like Ohio than Missouri — with edibles and topicals only, no smoking.

The Special Committee on Federal and State Affairs recommended potential regulations on Wednesday for the 2020 legislative session, which starts in January. It’s far from the first time the legislature would consider medical marijuana: The Kansas Health Institute says 18 bills have been introduced since 2006.

Among the suggestions for certain legislative committees to consider: banning smoking medical marijuana and only allowing edible and topical products, similar to 2017 regulations passed in Ohio.

“This topic we have addressed for several years now, and every time we run into the same problems,” Republican Sen. Bud Estes of Dodge City said. “The Ohio bill … comes the closest to doing what we feel like we should be doing here in Kansas.”

The Ohio legislation requires medical marijuana users to register for an ID card and forbids them from growing the plant at home. Ohio also allows patients to vape.

Members of the Kansas committee also expressed interest in creating an affirmative defense for out-of-state residents who carry their legally obtained medical marijuana while traveling through Kansas. Under it, proof of a patient’s legal marijuana prescription or registration would be enough to keep them from being arrested or prosecuted by the state.

“I’m trying to respect Missouri and Oklahoma residents for following the law in their state,” said Rep. John Barker, who chairs the committee. “Law enforcement … should not intervene or arrest or detain or cite that individual.”

Barker said he also supported using Ohio regulations as a model, but opposed vaping, citing possible health risks.

“I don’t think that’s the right message we should send to young people,” he said.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter, who testified against loosening regulations around the drug last week, said the committee’s recommendations don’t address one of law enforcement officers’ main concerns — the lack of federal regulation of medical marijuana. He plans to return to the state Capitol to testify against legalization measures next year.

“Let’s get the FDA involved,” he said. “Let’s get this stuff tested.”

Plus, banning smoking and vaping, Easter said, won’t eliminate the complications of enforcing Kansas’s borders with states where some form of the drug is legal, like Colorado, Oklahoma and, soon, Missouri.

“It’s still problematic for law enforcement,” he said. 

Numerous Kansas law enforcement organizations have been vocally opposed to legalizing both medical and recreational cannabis. Officers frequently cite concerns about impaired driving, violence and children’s access to the drug.

“Proponents of this, they want to get high,” Easter said. “That’s my opinion of it, and that’s the opinion of law enforcement.”

Medical marijuana proponent Jim Ricketts said he was also unhappy with the committee’s recommendations.

The 69-year-old Holton resident testified in favor of allowing medical cannabis use last week, and said smoking the drug is the only thing that relieves the pain and stress of old injuries sustained in a car crash more than 40 years ago.

“I will smoke it until I die,” he said. “They can put me in jail. I don’t care.”

By continuing to ban the smoking of marijuana, Ricketts said, the committee isn’t doing enough to address the needs of users like him. And he’s concerned that allowing edible or processed forms will benefit the bottom line of for-profit companies rather than the health of patients.

“This stuff needs to be taken care of now,” he said. “Marijuana has been around for years and years and they haven’t been able to control it.”

Nomin Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice and social welfare for the Kansas News Service.  Follow her on Twitter @NominUJ or email nomin (at) kcur (dot) org. 

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas legislative special committee has approved two early steps toward advancing a medical marijuana bill.

The committee on Federal and State Affairs on Wednesday recommended that Kansas lawmakers consider allowing residents from other states where medical marijuana is legal to use the product in Kansas if they have permission from their home states.

The committee also suggested Kansas study Ohio’s approach to medical marijuana use. Ohio limits patients to 90-day supplies and prohibits smoking medical marijuana. Edibles, patches and oils are allowed.

Supporters said the use and acceptance of medical marijuana is growing across the country, and in states adjoining Kansas.

The committees vote is non-binding. And any legislation supporting medical marijuana will face continued opposition from law enforcement and some medical organizations.c

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have made an arrest.

During the early morning hours of September 21, a shooting occurred in the parking lot at the Topeka Sports Cabaret, 4216 NE Seward Avenue in Topeka, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.

The victim, a man in his 20’s, was seriously injured in the shooting and was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.

Just after 1a.m. Wednesday, law enforcement arrested Noah Bigham, 21, Topeka, in the 2800 block of SE 2nd Street. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections with charges of Conspiracy and Felony Interference with a law enforcement officer and  a warrant stemming from a previous case involving Criminal Possession of a Firearm by Felon, Interference with LEO, Flee/Attempt to Elude, Distribution of Heroin and Aggravated Assault.

Authorities are still attempting to locate Dustin Dawdy reference the investigation of the shooting on SE Seward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Justin Roberts at 785-251-2251 or CrimeStoppers at 785-234-0007.

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SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend shooting and ask the public for help to locate individuals who may have information.

During the early morning hours of September 21st deputies responded to a shooting in the parking lot at the Topeka Sports Cabaret, 4216 NE Seward Avenue in Topeka, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.

The victim, a man in his 20’s, was seriously injured and was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating five individuals who may have information about this incident or may have information on the shooting, according to Stallbaumer.

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was scheduled for an appearance in federal court Wednesday on charges of robbing two businesses according to, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Toney D. Williams, 25, Wichita, was charged Oct. 23 with two counts of robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during the robbery.

He is charged with a robbery Oct. 1, 2019, at Family Dollar, 2301 S. Seneca, and a robbery Oct. 3, 2019, at Family Dollar, 1031 S. Meridian. In both robberies it is alleged he pointed a gun at an employee and demanded money. Police used surveillance video of Williams’ parked car to identify him.

If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each robbery count and not less than seven years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of brandishing a firearm.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic senator from New Jersey is questioning whether Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s trips to Kansas violate federal election laws.

Sen. Robert Menendez sent a letter Tuesday to the independent U.S. Office of Special Counsel seeking a review of Pompeo’s four trips to Kansas this year. Pompeo’s came last week for events on workforce development with Ivanka Trump.

Fellow Republicans have speculated for months that Pompeo might run for the Senate in Kansas next year. Menendez is suggesting that Pompeo’s trips could violate a law against federal employees engaging in political activity on the job.

The State Department did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Pompeo said in a Fox News interview Monday that he will remain secretary of state as long as President Donald Trump wants.

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas woman was sentenced Wednesday to a year and a day in prison for swindling homeowners facing foreclosure with false promises to help them save their homes, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Ruby Price, 74, Bonner Springs, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud. Price was a managing partner of Arize Group, a company based in Overland Park, Kan. She and co-defendants took money from distressed homeowners by fraudulently promising to Lower their interest rates, Lower their monthly payments and Help them obtain loan modifications.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a home burglary that sent a suspect to the hospital.

Just after 4p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a shooting at a home in 400 Block of South Garst in Wichita, according to Captain Brent Allred.  The 43-year-old property owner told police at the scene that as he started to enter his residence, he saw a woman and as many as three men inside the home.

The homeowner fired a shot from a handgun that struck the 50-year-old woman. She and the men fled the home. She drove away in a  2012 Ford Ford Focus. The others fled on foot.

A short time later, police found the woman in the car in the 900 Block of South Seneca.  EMS transported her to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to Allred. She was wounded in the lower abdomen and remains in critical condition, according to Allred.

Nobody was currently living at the residence. However, it was for sale and multiple burglaries have been reported at the residence over the past few months.  Police are working to determine if those in the home this time were involved with earlier burglaries.

Police have not had the opportunity to talk with the woman due to her injuries, according to Allred.

GRANT COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue to search for the driver of a vehicle involved in a double-fatal weekend accident in southwest Kansas who stole another vehicle and fled. On Wednesday, the Kansas Highway Patrol released photos of the wanted suspect.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that at 12:21 p.m. Saturday, 2007 Kenworth truck was westbound on Grant County Road 10 three miles north of U.S. 160.

The driver failed to yield right of way to a 2012 Chevy Silverado that was southbound on County Road X and driven by Kevin Jay Coyle, 57, Turpin, Oklahoma,  The Kenworth entered the uncontrolled intersection directly into the path of the Silverado.

Coyle and a passenger Gerald Lee Coyle, 81, Turpin, Oklahoma, were pronounced dead at the scene.

While a witness to the crash was working to assist the victims, the driver of the Kenworth truck drove away in the witness’s pickup, according to KHP Trooper Michael Racy.

Correction on Location: The collision location was the intersection of County Road 10 and County Road X in Grant County. https://t.co/gKFapFdAlc

— Trooper Racy (@TrooperMikeKHP) October 30, 2019

Authorities located the stolen pickup in a Haskell County field. They have not found the driver who is facing criminal charges, according to Racy.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who might have information is asked to call Technical Trooper Michael Racy at 620-276-3201

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GRANT COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue to search for the driver of a vehicle involved in a double-fatal weekend accident in southwest Kansas

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Kenworth truck was westbound on Grant County Road 10 three miles north of U.S. 160.

The driver failed to yield right of way to a southbound 2012 Chevy Silverado driven by Kevin Jay Coyle, 57, Turpin, Oklahoma, at the uncontrolled intersection. The Kenworth entered the intersection directly into the path of the Silverado.

Coyle and a passenger Gerald Lee Coyle, 81, Turpin, Oklahoma, were pronounced dead at the scene.

While a witness to the crash was working to assist the victims, the driver of the Kenworth truck drove away in the witness’s pickup, according to KHP Trooper Michael Racy.

Authorities have located the stolen pickup in a Haskell County field. They have not found the driver who is facing criminal charges, according to Racy. Anyone who witnessed the crash or who might have information is asked to call Technical Trooper Michael Racy at 620-276-3201

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a wanted Kansas felon on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday,  an officer stopped a car in the 800 block of North Broadway in Salina  had an illegal license tag on it, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus.

During the stop, Salina Police K-9 Karma indicated on the vehicle for the odor of illegal drugs and a search located two grams of methamphetamine and multiple methamphetamine smoking devices.

Police arrested the driver Anthony Wonder, 31,  Randall, on requested charges that include Possession of methamphetamine, Tax stamp violation, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Driving while suspended and a Vehicle license plate violation. He has a previous burglary conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections and was reported as absconder October 25.

They also arrested a passenger in the vehicle, Bryan Victory, 37, of Salina on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

COWLEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of fires that have occurred within the city of Winfield during the month of October, according to a media release from the Winfield Police and Fire Departments.

The fires October 6, at 11:46 p.m. in the 300 Block of West 16th Avenue, October 7, at 1:27 a.m., in the 600 Block of E 7th Avenue, October 13, at 4:42 a.m. in 400 Block of E 4th Avenue were in grass areas near the back of homes or outbuildings, according to the release.

The fire October 27 at 1:08 a.m. in the 800 Block of E 11th Avenue involved a vehicle on fire parked in front of a residence.

Fire officials collected evidence at the scene of each fire and forwarded it to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation lab for analysis. Fire officials believe these incidents are possibly connected.

There have been no injuries reported. The public is encouraged to contact the Police or Fire Department with any information they may have regarding these incidents