Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission Releases Draft Proposal of Industry Fees  

The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission has issued its first draft of industry fees, which include proposed license application and renewal fees, the Nebraska Examiner reports. The proposal would impose a $5,000 application fee, with license and renewal fees based on license type; a $13,000 fee to participate in the required seed-to-sale tracking system; and a $250 fee to license a new product, with a $100 renewal fee. 

The commission’s draft includes a $20,000 initial fee for cultivators, with a $23,500 annual renewal fee; a $10,000 fee for new transporter certification; a $20,000 initial fee for manufacturers, with a $23,000 renewal fee if the licensee does not have a transporter certification or $28,500 if it does; and a $15,000 initial fee for dispensaries, with an $18,000 renewal fee. 

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) and state Attorney General Mike Hilgers have previously signed off on industry regulations, which allow just 12 dispensaries statewide, dispersed by judicial district. The regulations prohibit “any product administered by smoking, combustion, or vaping,” all edibles, and any product that exceeds 60% THC or 40 milligrams of THC per dose. The only products allowed under the program are oral tablets, with or without flavored coating; capsules, or tinctures; gels, oils, creams, or other topical preparation; suppositories; transdermal patches; or liquids or oils for administration using a nebulizer or inhaler.    

So far, regulators have received manufacturer applications from at least two businesses after the applications opened in mid-June. Applications for manufacturers are being accepted through August 17. The agency accepted applications for cultivators last September and has not yet opened the application process for transporters or dispensaries.