The newly established Medical Cannabis Commission in Nebraska is set to hold its inaugural meeting on June 9. This commission will oversee the implementation of medical cannabis regulations approved by voters through Initiative 438, which garnered nearly 68% support in the recent election. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is currently in the process of appointing the fifth member of this panel, who will also serve as a Nebraska Liquor Control Commissioner.
According to the provisions of Initiative 438, the commission must develop rules and regulations governing the cultivation, processing, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis by July 1. The first licenses for medical cannabis businesses are expected to be issued by October 1.
Governor Pillen emphasized his commitment to adhering to the law and ensuring that the focus remains solely on medical cannabis. “The people spoke clearly for medical marijuana, not anything else. Medical marijuana, and that’s what we’ll deliver,” he stated.
The commission currently includes two appointed members: Dr. Monica Oldenburg, an anesthesiologist from Lincoln, and Lorelle Mueting, the prevention director at Heartland Family Service in Omaha. Their nominations were confirmed by the Legislature last week.
While the commission is pushing forward, challenges remain. State Senator Ben Hansen, who sponsored legislation aimed at establishing regulations and fees for the cannabis program, expressed concerns about the commission’s limited funding and structure. Without his proposed bill, the commission is operating with only $30,000 to hire staff, which Hansen noted is insufficient.
“$30,000 does not go very far in hiring anybody,” Hansen remarked, highlighting the financial constraints facing the commission.
Additionally, Hansen raised concerns about the composition of the commission, suggesting that it may lean towards anti-medical cannabis sentiments. “We could potentially have out of five people making decisions about rules and regulations for the entire state, potentially four people who are anti-medical cannabis,” he warned. He fears that overly restrictive regulations could hinder the establishment of a viable medical cannabis program in Nebraska, thus pushing patients toward the black market.
Governor Pillen acknowledged the importance of implementing the program correctly, expressing his support for medical marijuana while also voicing concerns about its addictive nature. He stated, “It’s got to be done through this commission in a way that the people that need medical marijuana will have access, but it’s not going to be an open so that it can go everywhere else. I will do everything in my power to protect kids from marijuana.”
As the commission prepares for its first meeting, it faces the dual challenge of creating a regulatory framework while addressing the concerns of lawmakers and the public. The outcome of this meeting will set the tone for how medical cannabis is managed in Nebraska moving forward.
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