The Drug Policy Forum of Kansas envision new drug control strategies based on protecting the health, human and civil rights of all Kansans from the fears, prejudices and punitive prohibitions of the war on drugs. More on our mission.

Today's News

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▶   Kansas Legislature makes Ecstasy Possession a Felony
The Kansas Senate votes 40-0 and the House 117-2 to make second-possession of ecstasy, or MDMA, a felony in Kansas (as marijuana is now.) It's expected to cost taxpayers between $700,00 and $1,300,000 the first year this law is implemented.

▶   Kansas Legislature Moves Salvia or Gypsum Weed to Schedule 1.
The Kansas House voted 122-1, and the Senate 40-0 to outlaw the possession and sale of Salvia divinorum or salvinorum, and Datura stramonium, commonly known as gypsum weed or jimson weed. The NAY vote was Rep. Bill Wolf of Great Bend.

▶   Kansas Medical Marijuana Defense Act Killed in Senate Commitee
The Senate Health Care Strategies Committee killed S.B 556 that would have allowed a person charged with possession of marijuana to provide a defense of medical necessity to the court. Read about this bill and all the other drug policy-related bills now before the Kansas Legislature here.

▶   New drug paraphernalia law takes effect.
The Kansas Legislature passed a law last year that bans the sale of drug paraphernalia, including tobacco pipes. Read the definition of paraphrenalia from the statute.

The Lawrence Journal-World reported January 11 all local convenience stores and retail shops that sell items that could be used to injest illegal substances, are now considered illegal drug paraphernalia and must be taken off the shelves.

The law also makes possession of glass pipes illegal, even if the pipe has not been used. The penalties for selling drug paraphernalia include a maximum of two years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines. Read the law (here and here) and inform yourself about what the legislature has enacted.

Will this law reduce drug use? Probably not, but it's a 'feel-good' measure for lawmakers in an election year. Lawrence legislators Paul Davis and Marci Franciso advocated for passage.

▶   Wichita Pain Doctor In Federal Prison Waiting Trial Dr. Stephan Schneider and his nurse-wide Linda of Haysville Kansas were charged in a December indictment with 34 counts including conspiracy, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, health care fraud. They are not charged with the death of any patients, though they are linked to the overdose deaths of 56 people in their care. Are the Schneiders victims of a drug war out of control, or are they pill-pushers? Given the federal government's crackdown on doctors who prescribe pain medications, and the number of patients who are speaking out, it's likely the former is true. Whether they are guilty or innocent, should the government and the state of Kansas have the right to take all their money, their homes, the homes of there relatives, their clinic, and their medical licenses - before they even get their day in court? Read all about their case on the Pain Relief Network of New Mexco's website. They have taken up the doctor's case and have all the latest news about the patient's struggle to get their much needed medication.
▶   DO YOU KNOW YOUR RIGHTS During Police Encounters? Take the on-line quiz. Unfortunately, in situations where law enforcement are spying on you---read the Goverment Security News story gloating about spying on festival-goers at Wakarusa---there's not a lot you can do to protect your consitutional rights. DPFKS in partnership with Flex Your Rights announce an educational campaign designed to educate citizens on their constitutional rights during police encounters. Copies of the DVD are free to qualified organizations. Contact us to find out more. Download one of our flyers and keep it in your car.