Nebraska Lawmakers Propose Regulations for Medical Marijuana
Following the approval of two ballot initiatives legalizing medical cannabis in November, several state lawmakers are introducing bills to regulate the drug’s distribution in the state. The initiatives, known as Initiative 437 and Initiative 438, allow doctors to recommend cannabis to patients and permit patients to possess and consume it.
Under Initiative 438, a new commission will be established to develop regulations for medical marijuana businesses by July 1, 2025. Medical marijuana outlets can then begin applying for licenses starting October 1, 2025.
The Nebraska Legislature has introduced four bills aimed at regulating medical cannabis. Three of these bills were introduced on Wednesday, the last day for new bills to be introduced in the 2025 legislative session. The bills propose different guidelines for patients to receive and use medical cannabis prescriptions.
State Senators Danielle Conrad and Ben Hansen have introduced similar bills, outlining guidelines for patients to receive and use medical cannabis prescriptions. Both senators have modeled their bills after other states with legalized marijuana, such as Missouri.
Conrad’s Legislative Bill 651 specifies that each prescription cannot exceed 5 ounces of the marijuana flower and sets limits on milligram dosage for edible products. Hansen’s LB 677 limits the number of dispensaries that can be licensed across the state.
Hansen plans to make amendments to his bill after discussing issues such as which medical conditions might qualify for a cannabis prescription and the best way to regulate dosages.
Senator Terrell McKinney of Omaha has introduced LB 705, which, in addition to outlining a prescription process, would allow people with marijuana convictions on their records to apply for clean slate relief and offer financial assistance to those with lower incomes who are seeking medical cannabis.
Senator Jared Storm of David City has introduced LB 483, which would limit the permissible forms of medical cannabis to just pills and liquid tinctures. Conrad criticized the bill as too restrictive, noting that not all patients who need medical cannabis can consume it through those forms.
The Nebraska campaign for medical marijuana, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, is currently neutral on the four bills but is monitoring them to determine if they honor the intent of the initiatives. The campaign is open to further regulations.
The Legislature has introduced a total of 715 bills and 29 resolutions for the 2025 session, with 194 new proposals added to the books on Wednesday.
