Nebraska’s Medical Marijuana Regulation Bill Fails, Delaying Access for Patients
A bill aimed at regulating medical marijuana in Nebraska has stalled in the state legislature, potentially delaying access to the treatment for patients in need. The bill, LB677, was voted down by the General Affairs Committee, with all five conservative senators opposing its advancement.
The bill, introduced by Senator Ben Hansen, aimed to create the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the state’s medical marijuana industry. However, the committee’s discussion centered around the inclusion of cannabis flower, a common form of the drug, in the bill. Three conservative senators opposed its inclusion, while three liberal senators and two senators aligned with the governor and attorney general’s office supported it.
Despite the setback, advocates for medical marijuana remain optimistic that a deal can be reached. Crista Eggers, director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, stated that the group will not let the voices of the 71% of Nebraskans who voted in favor of medical marijuana initiatives be ignored. Eggers believes that there is still time for the legislature to come to an agreement and pass the bill.
Senator Hansen is also hopeful that the bill will ultimately pass, stating that the legislature is close to reaching a deal. If passed, the bill would provide a framework for the state’s medical marijuana industry, including the creation of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission.
The failure of the bill means that medical marijuana will remain unavailable to Nebraskans, despite the overwhelming support for it in the 2024 general election. The state’s governor and attorney general have opposed the implementation of medical marijuana, citing pending litigation as a reason for their opposition. However, advocates for medical marijuana remain committed to bringing the treatment to patients in need, and are hopeful that a deal can be reached before the end of the legislative session.
