Nebraska Lawmakers Again Reject Medical Cannabis Implementation Bill

The bill to set up Nebraska’s voter-approved medical cannabis program
failed to advance in the legislature on Tuesday, failing a cloture vote
23-22, WOWT reports. It’s the latest setback for the program – approved by
nearly three out of four Nebraska voters last November – although Gov. Jim
Pillen (R) announced last week that his administration would provide
support and resources for the Medical Cannabis Commission.

Pillen also announced his picks for the commission: Dr. Monica Oldenburg,
an anesthesiologist, and Lorelle Mueting, the prevention program director
at Heartland Family Service. Those choices were denounced by Crista Eggers,
executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, which backed the
referendum, as “fundamentally opposed” to medical cannabis.

“While we appreciate Governor Pillen‘s effort to take action in response to
the will of the people, we find it disingenuous to characterize these
appointments as ‘experienced and well-qualified.’ Both individuals have
consistently express strong opposition to medical cannabis, both personally
and professionally. Appointing regulators who are fundamentally opposed to
the very issue they are charged with overseeing suggest that other motives
maybe at play – motives that appear misaligned with the public intent, and
not to mention the will of 71% of the state.” — Eggers, in a statement, via
WOWT

State Attorney General Mike Hilgers has called on lawmakers to reject the
medical cannabis implementation bill, which he contends will “make Nebraska
less safe, more dangerous.”

The voter-approved law would give patients with any medical condition
access to the program so long as they have a recommendation from a doctor
or qualified medical practitioner.