Nebraska Medical Marijuana Bill Advances to Legislative Floor
After weeks of deliberation, a bill legalizing medical marijuana in Nebraska has cleared the General Affairs Committee and is now headed to the state legislature for debate. The legislation, which has faced opposition from some top officials, has been amended to allow the consumption of marijuana flower in vaporized form, but not smoked.
The bill, LB677, has been a contentious issue since its introduction, with some lawmakers expressing concerns about the plant’s flower being consumed. The compromise reached on Thursday allows for the vaporization of up to 2 ounces of marijuana flower, but smoking it would still be subject to the same penalties as before.
Despite the progress, the bill still excludes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana use. Advocates for medical marijuana, including Crista Eggers of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, have hailed the development as a significant step forward.
“We believe today was a huge win that shows lawmakers are recognizing the importance of listening to the vote of the people and being willing to engage in dialogue on the issue,” Eggers said.
Nebraska voters overwhelmingly supported medical marijuana legalization in November, with 70% casting their ballots in favor of the measure. However, the issue has faced resistance from some top officials, including Governor Jim Pillen, Senator Pete Ricketts, and Attorney General Mike Hilgers.
In an effort to engage with constituents on the issue, state lawmakers will hold public forums this weekend in Omaha, La Vista, and Lincoln. The forums will feature state Senators Rick Holdcroft, John Cavanaugh, and Ben Hansen, as well as 12 other lawmakers, who will discuss the implementation of medical marijuana in Nebraska.
