Kansas Supremes to Consider Wichita Pot Law Case Next Week

(AP) – Kansas’s highest court is considering the legality of Wichita’s marijuana ordinance next week.

Oral arguments are set for Sept. 17 in Topeka in the legal challenge brought by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. At issue is the state’s effort to invalidate a voter-approved ordinance in Wichita lessening criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana.

Among the issues the Kansas Supreme Court will consider is whether the ordinance conflicts with state law. Also at issue is whether the ordinance was filed properly.

The ordinance imposes no more than a $50 fine for first-time possession of a small amount of pot. State law deems it a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Wichita voters approved the measure in April.