For the first time since medical cannabis was legalized in the state, Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a bill providing structure to the program.
The bill, LB1235, sponsored by the General Affairs Committee, passed on a 46-2 vote and takes effect immediately. The measure reorganizes the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, including authorizing an annual $12,500 salary for commission members, and gives the board authority to establish a maximum fee of $50,000 for license applications, registrations, and renewals. Initial applicants will also be required to submit to a fingerprint-based national criminal history background check.
Further, the measure creates the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission Cash Fund. This fund will be available to receive fees, gifts, grants and other revenue to support administration and enforcement, including salaries, materials, equipment, education and training.
Possession of up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis for patients and their caregivers with a health care practitioner’s recommendation was approved by 71% of Nebraska voters on the November 2024 general election ballot. A companion initiative to create the Medical Cannabis Commission passed with 67% approval.
Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, the group behind the initiatives, told the Nebraska Examiner that the bill is “one very small step” but “something to celebrate.”
While discussing medical cannabis legislation this session, Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha said, to date, zero patients in Nebraska have received a medical cannabis recommendation for treatment—despite legalization.
A bill introduced by Cavanaugh, LB933, would give legal protections to health care practitioners who choose to do so. That bill advanced through first-round debate on March 20 on a vote of 30-7. To become law, the bill must pass two more rounds of debate and secure 33 votes.