Nebraska Attorney General Challenges Voter-Approved Medical Cannabis Law

1.3 min readPublished On: May 1st, 2025By HCN News Team

LOS ANGELES- Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers continues to contest the implementation of the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law, citing concerns over the legality of the ballot initiatives and the regulatory framework established by the measures.

In November 2024, Nebraska voters approved Initiatives 437 and 438, legalizing medical cannabis use and establishing the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee regulation. Despite the measures receiving over 70% support statewide, Hilgers and other state officials have raised objections, leading to ongoing legal challenges.

One lawsuit, filed by former state senator John Kuehn, argues that the initiatives violate federal law and the Nebraska Constitution by delegating excessive power to the newly formed commission. The Nebraska Attorney General’s Office has supported this position, asserting that the measures could conflict with federal statutes governing controlled substances.

In December 2024, Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong dismissed a separate lawsuit challenging the validity of petition signatures supporting the initiatives. However, the Attorney General’s Office has indicated plans to appeal the decision, maintaining that issues such as circulator fraud warrant further judicial review.

The Nebraska Legislature has also faced challenges in implementing the new law. Legislative Bill 677, aimed at establishing a regulatory framework for medical cannabis, failed to advance from the General Affairs Committee in April 2025. Proponents argue that without legislative action, the state risks an unregulated cannabis market, while opponents, including Hilgers, caution against rapid implementation without resolving legal uncertainties.

As legal proceedings continue, the future of Nebraska’s medical cannabis program remains uncertain. Stakeholders await further rulings that will determine whether the voter-approved measures will be fully enacted or face additional legal obstacles.

About the Author: HCN News Team

The News Team at Highly Capitalized are some of the most experienced writers in cannabis and psychedelics business & finance. We cover capital markets, finance, branding, marketing and everything important in between. Most of all, we follow the money.