Kansas Cannabis Enforcement Trends Analysis: Seven Years of Law Enforcement Data and Policy Implications (2017-2023)

Background: Cannabis enforcement remains a significant component of criminal justice operations in states where prohibition persists. Kansas represents one of eleven states maintaining complete prohibition of cannabis for both medical and recreational use, providing a unique case study for understanding enforcement patterns in a prohibition-only jurisdiction. Methods: This longitudinal analysis examines seven years (2017-2023) of cannabis-related arrest data in Kansas, utilizing publicly available law enforcement statistics, FBI crime data, and state judicial reporting. Data sources include Kansas Bureau of Investigation reports, FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), and civil rights organization analyses. Results: Cannabis possession arrests in Kansas demonstrated significant volatility over the study period, ranging from 3,967 (2021) to 4,769 (2022), with 2023 reporting 4,645 arrests. Sales-related arrests showed a consistent downward trend, declining 73% from 1,152 (2017) to 308 (2023). Despite neighboring Missouri's legalization in 2023, Kansas enforcement patterns remained stable. Cannabis-related arrests comprised over 40% of all drug enforcement actions statewide, with documented racial disparities showing Black residents facing arrest rates 4.8 times higher than white residents despite comparable usage patterns. Conclusions: Kansas cannabis enforcement reveals persistent resource allocation to prohibition enforcement despite declining sales arrests and stable possession patterns. The data suggests enforcement priorities may be shifting away from distribution-focused investigations toward maintaining possession-level deterrence. These findings have significant implications for criminal justice resource allocation and policy reform discussions in prohibition states.