GUEST COLUMN, J. Basil Dannebohm
On Aug. 16, a special op/ed I penned for the Topeka Capitol-Journal was published across several of Gannett’s Kansas newspapers. The subject matter was something I’ve championed since my brief stint in the Kansas Legislature: medical marijuana.
As I outlined in the op/ed (which can also be read at www.dannebohm.com), in 2015 I took a LOT of heat as the sole GOP legislator standing in support of HB2011, a bill in the Kansas House that would have made medical THC products more accessible. As the piece mentions, I supported the legislation because a constituent in a neighboring district came to me with a heartfelt plea for her son suffering from Dravet syndrome. My endorsement of a cause that went against the platform led to attacks, hit pieces, and ultimately the end of my political career. To this day, I have no regrets. I only wish I could have done more.
In early August, President Trump told a group of donors that his administration is considering reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. He reiterated his remarks to journalists a few days later. Under current federal law, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug, the same category as heroin and methamphetamine.
Mr. Trump and I don’t agree on very many things, and though August marks a decade since I became a registered Independent, if the President fulfills his promise on reclassifying marijuana I will not hesitate to express my gratitude. Just like in 2015, I remain unafraid to reach across party lines when it means supporting the right thing.
Considering this recent development, I would be remiss were I not to point out that karma is often both beautiful and ironic.
Since having the audacity to support an issue contrary to the GOP platform in 2015, I have remained an individual the Kansas Republican Party wishes would go away or at least keep silent. Over the years they’ve gone to great lengths in their efforts to discredit me. Their political retribution attempts know neither bounds nor shame. Much to their dismay, however, flowers grew in the mud they slung my way. I confess that dwelling in their minds rent-free offers me a sort of sadistic delight.
Similarly, marijuana is an issue the Kansas GOP wishes would go away … except, of course, when they want to use the innocent little boy from Central Kansas (whom I alluded to in my op/ed) as a political prop during campaign season. Governor Laura Kelly has said on record several times that, were cannabis legislation to cross her desk, she would sign it into law. Yet, since my brief soiree in Kansas politics, marijuana legislation hasn’t made any progress.
This brings me to the ironic part.
Were it not for the fact that Donald J. Trump, a man who the Kansas Republican Party reveres, brought up the issue of reclassifying marijuana, yours truly — with my decade-long quest for common sense cannabis legislation — would not be calling them out.
But here we are.
Taking all of this under consideration, and with the midterms fast approaching, Kansas voters should ask a few questions of their Republican politicians.
For example, now that Mr. Trump is calling for the reclassification of marijuana, will Kansas GOP politicians support pro-cannabis legislation?
If the answer is yes, another good question to ask would be, “What changed?”
Is the politician’s decision to support favorable marijuana laws merely based on the fact that ‘Dear Leader’ approves of the idea? When Rep. Dannebohm was standing alone at that podium in the Capitol Rotunda, many of them were observing while hiding in the shadows. It’s not as though there has been some sort of remarkable breakthrough research in the last decade. So, again, what changed?
Several of the individuals vying for the Kansas Republican gubernatorial nomination were working in the Statehouse back in 2015. Hence, the aforementioned questions should especially be asked of them at some point during their campaigns. Goodness knows if a candidate goes against him, Mr. Trump will be inclined to withhold his coveted endorsement. Of course, if a candidate now says they support cannabis legislation, they will almost certainly appear to be nothing more than a spineless patsy to the man occupying the Oval Office.
Quite the conundrum indeed.
As renowned sociologist DaShanne Stokes observed, “Blind party loyalty will be our downfall. We must follow the truth wherever it leads.”
The truth, in this case, is that most elected officials pander to their respective partisan establishment while ignoring their constituents.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR — J. Basil Dannebohm is a writer, speaker, consultant, former Kansas legislator and intelligencer. His website is www.dannebohm.com. Mr. Dannebohm is a member of the Virginia Press Association and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. He writes from the Washington DC metro in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
