About three in five Kansas adults support legalizing marijuana for adult use, while an even larger majority favors legalization for medical purposes, according to a new poll.
The annual “Kansas Speaks Survey”, conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, covered a wide range of policy topics, including public attitudes toward cannabis reform.
At 10 a.m. on October 27, the Docking Institute released its Kansas Speaks Fall 2025 Survey. The survey was co-sponsored by the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, which includes KSN News. Between September 26 and October 16, a total of 645 Kansas adults completed the online questionnaire.
Legalizing Recreational Marijuana for Adults 21 and Older to allow state taxation?
The first marijuana-related question was specific. It asked whether respondents support legalizing recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older so that the state could tax it, increasing revenue without raising traditional taxes.
Almost two-thirds of respondents, 64.8 %, indicated they strongly or somewhat support the idea, while 19.2% were somewhat or strongly opposed.
Since the Docking Institute first asked this question in 2017, support has risen significantly. That year, only 49% of respondents supported legalization for adults 21 and older for taxation purposes. Although this year’s support level is slightly below 70.8% in 2021 and 65.2% last year, it remains high overall.
Voting for pro-medical marijuana candidates?
The release of the Kansas Speaks survey comes just one week before the general election. On November 5, voters across Kansas will elect new state senators and representatives who have the authority to amend state statutes, including those related to marijuana.
The survey asked, “How likely are you to vote for a candidate who supports medical marijuana legalization?”
Sixty percent responded that they were likely to, while 16% said they were not.
Overall Attitudes Toward Marijuana Legalization?
The survey also included two general questions on marijuana legalization: one about support or opposition to medical marijuana legalization, and another about recreational use legalization.
The results show that 70.4% are supportive of legalizing medical marijuana in general, while 14.2% are opposed. However, support drops to 58.8% for legalizing recreational use in general, and opposition grows to 24.5%.
Currently, Kansas is one of four U.S. states—along with South Carolina, Idaho, and Wyoming—where marijuana remains illegal for both recreational and medical use.
In contrast, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana, including Kansas’ neighboring states Missouri and Colorado.
Although Kansans have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the state’s cannabis prohibition in multiple surveys over the years, reform efforts have long stalled in the conservative state legislature.
Governor Laura Kelly (D) has repeatedly called for legalizing medical marijuana and expressed openness to establishing an adult-use market. In April, she renewed her call for action, stating that it is time for Kansas lawmakers to finally legalize medical marijuana.
- The news is soured from Kansas Speaks Fall 2025
Post time: Nov-07-2025
