Nebraska AG Pushing Lawmakers to Reject Medical Cannabis Implementation Bill

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers (R) this week called on state
lawmakers to reject legislation to implement medical cannabis regulations,
as was approved by over two-thirds of voters last year, according to the Nebraska
Examiner.

At a press conference on Wednesday, while flanked by multiple sheriffs,
Hilger claimed that regulating the medical cannabis industry would
“supercharge the black market” and fuel recreational cannabis reforms.

“This is not about the will of the people. This is going to make Nebraska
less safe, more dangerous. It’s going to handcuff the good men and women
here that are in front of you and all their colleagues around the state.” —
Hilgers, via the Examiner

The proposal in question — Legislative Bill 677, introduced by state Sen.
Ben Hansen (R) — was initially rejected by the General Affairs Committee
last month. The committee reconsidered the bill two weeks later with some
new amendments, including new details and regulations for the state Medical
Cannabis Commission, and ultimately advanced it to the full floor for
consideration.

Hansen said after Hilgers’ comments that the attorney general was “turning
a blind eye” to the voter-approved ballot measure, the report said.

Under the medical cannabis legalization initiative passed by voters last
year, patients with any medical condition can access the program so long as
they have a recommendation from a doctor or qualified medical practitioner.