Nebraska Attorney General Opposes Medical Marijuana Regulation Bill
The Nebraska legislature is moving forward with a bill that would establish a framework for regulating medical marijuana, despite opposition from Attorney General Mike Hilgers. The bill, LB 677 and amendment 1251, aims to provide guidelines for the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, which was created by voters last year to regulate the sale of medical marijuana.
Hilgers, who has previously spoken out against medical marijuana, argues that the legislature does not need to pass a bill to regulate the drug, as voters have already approved its use. He also expressed concerns that the amendment would allow for the sale of cannabis flower, which he believes would lead to the proliferation of the black market.
However, Senator Rick Holdcroft, who voted to move the amendment forward out of committee, disagrees with Hilgers’ assessment. He argues that the amendment restricts who can make recommendations for medical marijuana and in what form, and that it would provide guidelines for the commission to safely regulate the sale of the drug.
Senator John Cavanaugh, another supporter of the bill, believes that it would provide a framework for the commission to regulate medical marijuana safely and accessibly. He also noted that the commission has not been given the necessary funding to develop regulations, and that the legislature still needs to appropriate funds for the commission’s work.
Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, criticized Hilgers’ opposition to the bill, calling it “hypocrisy” given his previous efforts to undermine the will of the voters. She argued that Hilgers’ actions are preventing patients from having legal access to safe and regulated medical marijuana.
The bill and amendment must pass by June 9, and if it does not, the cannabis commission must still develop regulations by July 1. The outcome of the bill’s passage is uncertain, as it could still be vetoed by Governor Jim Pillen.
