Nebraska Certifies Medical Cannabis Ballot Measures for November Election

LOS ANGELES- The Nebraska Secretary of State has officially certified two ballot measures aimed at legalizing medical cannabis and establishing a regulated cannabis industry in the state. The measures, which will appear on the November election ballot, represent the third attempt by advocates to bring medical cannabis reform to Nebraska voters.

The campaign, led by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM), successfully gathered over 114,000 signatures for each of the two proposed amendments, far surpassing the required 86,000-signature threshold. The initiatives were confirmed by Secretary of State Bob Evnen after verifying that both measures met the necessary signature and distribution requirements across 51 counties.

Background and Implications

The two certified measures include the “Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection” initiative, which seeks to establish a legal framework for medical cannabis use, allowing patients to possess up to 5 ounces of cannabis without fear of criminal prosecution. The second measure, the “Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation” initiative, aims to create a regulated industry overseen by a state commission, with a commercial marketplace expected to be operational by October 2025.

This marks a significant milestone for the NMM campaign, which faced setbacks in previous years due to legal challenges and funding difficulties. In 2020, a legal challenge led by Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner resulted in the Nebraska Supreme Court striking down a similar initiative, citing the state’s single-subject rule. A subsequent attempt in 2022 fell short of the necessary signatures.

The upcoming vote places Nebraska among other states, including Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota, where cannabis legalization measures will be decided in the November election. Should the measures pass, Nebraska would become the 39th state in the U.S. to legalize medical cannabis.

Public Support and Next Steps

Public support for medical cannabis in Nebraska appears strong, with a February 2024 poll showing roughly 70% of residents in favor of legalization. Despite the setbacks, campaign leaders remain optimistic that the upcoming vote will reflect this support.

As the state prepares for the November election, local officials continue to verify signatures, with final certification expected before the September 13 deadline. The outcome of this election could bring significant changes to Nebraska’s cannabis laws, providing patients with legal access to medical cannabis and laying the groundwork for a regulated industry in the state.