Lawmakers on Wednesday approved the first-ever bill concerning Nebraska’s medical cannabis program with a 46-2 vote. This milestone follows nearly two years after voters statewide endorsed a medical marijuana initiative. The new legislation empowers the state’s Medical Cannabis Commission to establish application fees for dispensaries and manufacturers, along with requiring applicants to submit fingerprints for background checks. Additionally, the bill allocates annual salaries of $12,500 for commission members and establishes a dedicated fund for fee collection.
Crista Eggers from Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana regarded the approval as bittersweet. “But it’s not a success,” Eggers stated. “Success for those who worked on this, and for the voters, is when we have a regulated medical cannabis program that ensures adequate access to patients. We are very far from that day.”
Concerns Over Proposed Regulations
The Medical Cannabis Commission has recently drafted proposed regulations, which many advocates, including Eggers, believe do not align with state statutes. The draft includes restrictions on THC content in medical cannabis and limits on which parts of the plant can be utilized. Furthermore, it imposes requirements for patients to renew their medical cannabis cards every 30 days, creating perceived barriers to access.
Eggers highlighted that the approved bill caps application fees for dispensaries and manufacturers at $50,000. “If the commissioners decide to set fees at the maximum, it could deter many manufacturers and dispensaries from applying for a license and ultimately operating in Nebraska,” she explained. Despite these concerns, Eggers acknowledged that her organization worked collaboratively with lawmakers on the bill, resulting in a compromise that she views as a technical win. She is hopeful that the commission will adopt a more deliberate approach with the new salary structure in place.
Future Legislation and Industry Implications
Eggers expressed her belief that the expectations for the commission will be higher moving forward. “They have a hard job ahead of them and they knew what they were getting into,” she noted. Furthermore, she is optimistic about another bill in the legislature that would offer immunity from criminal prosecution to medical practitioners recommending medical marijuana, which could further solidify progress in the cannabis sector for this legislative session.