Nebraska Lawmakers Again Reject Medical Cannabis Implementation Bill

The bill to set up Nebraska’s voter-approved medical cannabis program failed to advance in the legislature on Tuesday, failing a cloture vote 23-22, WOWT reports. It’s the latest setback for the program – approved by nearly three out of four Nebraska voters last November – although Gov. Jim Pillen (R) announced last week that his administration would provide support and resources for the Medical Cannabis Commission.   

Pillen also announced his picks for the commission: Dr. Monica Oldenburg, an anesthesiologist, and Lorelle Mueting, the prevention program director at Heartland Family Service. Those choices were denounced by Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, which backed the referendum, as “fundamentally opposed” to medical cannabis.   

“While we appreciate Governor Pillen‘s effort to take action in response to the will of the people, we find it disingenuous to characterize these appointments as ‘experienced and well-qualified.’ Both individuals have consistently express strong opposition to medical cannabis, both personally and professionally. Appointing regulators who are fundamentally opposed to the very issue they are charged with overseeing suggest that other motives maybe at play – motives that appear misaligned with the public intent, and not to mention the will of 71% of the state.” — Eggers, in a statement, via WOWT 

State Attorney General Mike Hilgers has called on lawmakers to reject the medical cannabis implementation bill, which he contends will “make Nebraska less safe, more dangerous.” 

The voter-approved law would give patients with any medical condition access to the program so long as they have a recommendation from a doctor or qualified medical practitioner.