Nebraska Launches Medical Cannabis Program with Strict Emergency Regulations

1 July 2025

Nebraska’s medical marijuana program is officially underway, following the approval of emergency regulations signed by Governor Jim Pillen on June 29th. These temporary rules were enacted to comply with deadlines set by two voter-approved ballot initiatives in 2024 (to enable the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to begin accepting license applications as of July 1 and award them no later than October 1.

The regulations lay the groundwork for a tightly controlled marketplace. Just one dispensary will be permitted in each of Nebraska’s 12 judicial districts, a move that significantly limits geographic access, particularly in rural areas.

• Product offerings will also be restricted: smokable flower, vape cartridges, infused edibles, and any cannabis intended for combustion or inhalation are banned.
• Approved products include: oral tablets, tinctures, patches, and topicals.

Eligibility rules for the businesses to participate in Nebraska's cannabis industry are stringent:

• Applicants must be majority Nebraska-owned for at least four years,
• Pass FBI background checks, and avoid recent felony convictions.
• Licenses will be non-transferable and must be renewed every two years.
• Vertical integration is prohibited, meaning businesses may only hold one type of license: cultivation, manufacturing, transport, or retail.

To protect consumers, the emergency rules include:

• strict packaging,
• labeling,
• inventory tracking standards.

Marketing materials cannot include imagery or branding likely to appeal to minors.

Public comment on the emergency rules is open through July 15.

The emergency regulations will remain in effect until September 28, with formal, permanent rules expected to be introduced by October. Until dispensaries are licensed and operational, legal access to medical cannabis in Nebraska remains theoretical.