“Appears there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Fingers crossed.”
By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner
The Nebraska Legislature approved its first-ever bill related to a state medical cannabis program Wednesday, which regulators say is key to getting the medicine to Nebraskans.
Lawmakers voted 46-2 to pass Legislative Bill 1235, led by the General Affairs Committee. The bill would give the voter-created regulatory commission the ability to set fees and raise revenue. With other funding in LB 1071’s state budget adjustments, approved 35-13 Wednesday as well, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission could soon hire its first dedicated staff.
The commission did not formally support or oppose LB 1235, but lawmakers made clear the measure was introduced on the commission’s behalf.
The legislation would have initially expanded commission authority to regulate patients, caregivers and medical providers, authority not contemplated in the ballot measure creating the commission that 67 percent of voters passed in 2024. Those provisions were removed.
In the same 2024 election, 71 percent of voters legalized possession of up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis for patients and their caregivers with a health care practitioner’s recommendation.
Lawmakers have estimated getting medical cannabis to patients might still be at least a year out. When it does, the
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