Chair Of Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission Steps Down

*“Nebraska needs to seize the opportunity to be slow and deliberate in the
manner in which we determine how best to designate appropriate conditions
for medical cannabis.”*

*By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner*

The chair of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission resigned from her
post Monday, about nine months after Gov. Jim Pillen (R) appointed her to
the post.

Pillen appointed Dr. Monica Oldenburg of Lincoln, an anesthesiologist, to
the commission April 24 as one of two at-large members. They serve with the
three members of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Beyond a brief
statement announcing the resignation, commissioners did not address
Oldenburg’s tenure.

Lawmakers confirmed Oldenburg to the post May 30 in a 34-11 vote. She had
told lawmakers she was “not a prohibitionist” of cannabis but was
“pro-research.” Oldenburg also said cannabis has “a place in pain
management” for certain ailments that cause suffering.

“Nebraska needs to seize the opportunity to be slow and deliberate in the
manner in which we determine how best to designate appropriate conditions
for medical cannabis and regulate those entities that will dispense medical
cannabis in our state,” Oldenburg said last May. “I look forward to working
with various parties to ensure that we in the State of Nebraska get this
right.”

At that same hearing last year, Oldenburg said she had been encouraged to
apply by State Sen. Jared Storm of David City, a member of the
Legislature’s General Affairs Committee, which considered her appointment.

Oldenburg was not present at her commission’s monthly meetings in December
or January.

Pillen’s office had no immediate comment and didn’t immediately make a copy
of Oldenburg’s resignation available.

Oldenburg’s leadership had guided commissioners through strict regulations
seeking to prevent future licensed dispensaries from selling medical
cannabis that could be smoked or vaped. The regulations would also require
that patients only be able to access licensed dispensaries if they secure a
recommendation from health care practitioners who sign up as part of the
program.

Patients and advocates have detested the regulations and said the 2024
ballot measures expressly allow smoking and vaping cannabis and don’t give
the commission power over patients.

With Oldenburg’s absence, the remaining four members voted unanimously to
name Commissioner Lorelle Mueting of Gretna as the “interim” chair.
Mueting, a prevention director at Heartland Family Service in Omaha, was
confirmed alongside Oldenburg in a 27-16 vote.

Oldenburg and Mueting met stiff opposition to their appointments as both
had opposed multiple advocate-backed medical cannabis bills between 2018
and 2025.

Pillen last year had described the women as “experienced, well-qualified
individuals” who would ensure strong regulations “to the letter of the law
the people of Nebraska enacted.”

Since July, Pillen has appointed all three Liquor Control Commission
members. They will face legislative confirmation this spring, as could
Oldenburg’s successor if Pillen appoints one.

*This story was first published by Nebraska Examiner.*

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