Poll Shows Strong Support for Cannabis Reform Across Kansas

28 October 2025

Public support for marijuana reform in Kansas remains strong, though enthusiasm appears to have cooled slightly over the past year. The 2025 Kansas Speaks Survey from Fort Hays State University’s Docking Institute of Public Affairs found that seven in ten Kansans continue to favor legal medical cannabis, while support for recreational use has dipped modestly.

In the latest survey, 70.4 percent of adults said they support legal medical marijuana, down from 72.9 percent in 2024. Opposition grew from 12 percent to 14.2 percent, and the share of respondents who were unsure dropped slightly to 1 percent. Attitudes toward recreational legalization followed a similar pattern. Support declined from 61.4 percent to 58.8 percent, while opposition rose from 22.3 percent to 24.5 percent.

The survey, conducted between September 26 and October 10, asked more than 500 Kansas residents about their views on cannabis policy. It also measured how those opinions might influence voting behavior. About 65 percent of respondents said they would likely support a candidate who backs medical marijuana legalization, a 5.4-point increase from last year. Neutral responses fell, while the share of voters unlikely to support such candidates grew slightly.

Researchers said the small shifts may suggest that while medical marijuana remains widely popular, opinions on broader legalization are becoming more divided. The findings also point to a steady but cautious willingness among voters to connect cannabis policy with electoral choices.

Kansas remains one of the few states without a legal marijuana program. Efforts to pass medical cannabis legislation have repeatedly stalled in the Senate, despite a House-approved bill in 2021 and ongoing support from Governor Laura Kelly. Legislative leaders, including Senate President Ty Masterson, continue to cite public health and safety concerns.

With more than 40 states allowing medical marijuana and 24 permitting recreational use, Kansas stands out as an exception in the region. The new survey results indicate that most residents continue to support reform, even as lawmakers show little sign of acting soon.