After years of effort and a couple of failed attempts, the issue of legalizing medical cannabis should finally be in front of the state’s voters in November.
Nebraskans For Medical Marijuana (NMM) has been trying to get medical cannabis legalised in the state by putting the issue on a ballot for voters to decide. The first attempt in 2020 collected the required number of signatures, but a court decision relating to “single subject” requirements saw that effort torpedoed. Another attempt in 2022 was also unsuccessful after not meeting county qualification requirements.
The campaign was reignited for the for the 2024 ballot, with a signature drive commencing in September 2023 for two petitions. One was for the Patient Protection Act, which would protect eligible patients and their caregivers from arrest. The other was for the Medical Cannabis Regulation Act, which would establish the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate businesses providing medicinal cannabis.
On July 3 this year after a last-ditch push, NMM turned in close to 115,000 signatures for each of the initiatives. 86,499 valid signatures were required.
While the Elections Division had not yet certified the petitions, Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen announced last week the petitions had met the 100% signature threshold required for verification and certification.
The Secretary also noted both petitions had met the 5% distribution requirement in at least 51 counties. He stated neither has yet met the 110% threshold provided under state law to cease verifying signatures, and county election offices are verifying the remaining signatures.
After such a tough battle, to say NMM welcomed the news would be an understatement.
“Although our fight is not over, we are one step closer to the day that patients in our state will have compassionate access to medical cannabis,” the group said.
In a separate statement, NMM Campaign Manager Crista Eggers commented:
“After years of hard work, we are beyond excited Nebraskans will finally have their voices heard on this issue in November. Our fight has been long, it has been hard, but we have never given up.”
Polling carried out early this year for Neilan Strategy Group found 70% of respondents supported legalizing medical cannabis in Nebraska.
