March 4th for Medical Cannabis
The issue of state access to cannabis and marijuana products has seen powerful strides in the last decade. Proponents of liberty in Kansas are fighting to have our rights to usage recognized just as they are in Missouri. 
In the Kansas City area, legal access is available on one side of the state line but not a few feet the other direction. To show the discrepancy of regulations and legislation that blocks cannabis access, protesters showed up at the intersection of the bustling 39th Street area and State Line Road to create a visual representation. Those standing on the Missouri side wore green to symbolize “patients,” and those on the Kansas side orange for “criminals.” Several Kansas Libertarians traveled from around the metro area and as far as Wichita to make their voices heard. LPKS Candidate Recruitment Director Matt Clark was on site to capture drone aerials of the protest at the intersection, with another volunteer contributing ground footage. Besides internal reporting, the event also drew the attention of major KC news sources such as kctv5.com. As Brett Fairchild pointed out, many Kansans only hear one side of the issue, and it is propagandistic rather than
informational. “Medical cannabis is a vital part of health freedom,” he stated, adding that it is possible to be conservative and also support legalization. Fairchild is the KS representative for district 113. Attendees gathered first at OurHouseKC, where there were patient testimonials and socializing prior to the outdoor lineup. They held signs with slogans such as CANNABIS IS MEDICINE, PLANTS OVER PILLS, and NOT MY MASTER. The latter is a reference to KS Senate president Ty Masterson, who has the power to block legislation that frees up access to marijuana.Sgt. Chris Wolfenbarger, a former combat medic and veteran with PTSD, spoke prior to the march. “Taxpaying citizens are receiving relief from this plant. It fights alcoholism and drug abuse. But patients in Kansas are felons.”
Wolfenbarger also shared the story of his mother, a longtime sufferer of heart problems. Their family infused crackers with cannabis to help with chronic pain and raise her quality of life. “Ultimately, when she passed, she was out of pain because she had been utilizing cannabis.” "She would have taken that relief as a felon if the laws had applied to her. I’d like to tell [Sen. Masterson] that the denial of [cannabis] is hurting patients in Kansas. I want to say, the decisions you make as a leader have very real repercussions. Sit down with us and let us educate you on why Kansans need this medicine. All we ask from you is compassionate leadership."The second speaker was Wendy Turner, whose son Coltyn has Crohn's disease. She spoke against pharmaceuticals, stating that they did more harm than good until Coltyn was on his deathbed. The family had no other choice than to turn to cannabis. Nine years ago, they traveled hundreds of miles for refuge in Colorado and began medical cannabis. Coltyn has been in remission ever since. "Illegally healed, baby!" Wendy shouted with her fist in the air. She then encouraged Kansans to speak up on the
cannabis issue, ensuring that state authorities make correct legislative decisions. "Your representatives work for you. It doesn't matter what [Masterson] thinks, it matters what his constituents think." “[Coltyn] was on 100mg of medicinal marijuana a day for nearly a decade with very few side effects. We faced CPS and prosecution. He was the first pediatric patient from Crohn's in the state of Colorado. We will continue to fight across the U.S. and the world because we deserve health and we deserve life. We want to be able to live without prosecution and without fear." “Coltyn is currently 23 years old and he is alive because of cannabis.”Other speakers included Crissy Dastrup, Kansas City’s candidate for City Council 4th In-District, and representatives from the Kansas Cannabis Coalition.
All photos courtesy of Olivia Hayse, Allison Ross, and Matt Clark. Used with permission.
