Nebraska Says Yes To Medical Cannabis After Years Of Failed Legalization Attempts: Here’s What You Need To Know
Nebraska voters chose to legalize and regulate medical cannabis on Tuesday via two ballot measures.
What Happened
The AP reported Tuesday night that with nearly 60% of the votes counted, over 72.4% of Nebraska voters said yes to Initiative 437, thus enacting the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Protection Act. And 68.5% of voters approved Initiative 438, which enacts the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act that will create a government board to regulate medical cannabis for patients.
After two unsuccessful attempts – in 2020 and again in 2022 – to legalize medical marijuana, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, the cannabis legalization advocate group led by campaign manager Crista Eggers, has made it. Activists submitted the required number of signatures earlier this year, totaling close to 115,000, surpassing the 86,500 needed. Secretary of State Bob Evnen certified both measures.
Why It Matters
Nebraska Medical Cannabis Protection Act allows qualified patients to use and possess up to five ounces of cannabis to treat and help alleviate their health conditions.
Under the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act, Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is charged with establishing and adopting regulations for the new market.
Paula Savchenko, Esq., founding partner of Cannacore Group and PS Law Group, shed light on the timeline of setting up a new market and a regulatory frame around it.
“Following the adoption of the …