Attorney General and Former Governor Push to Block Medical Cannabis

4 March 2025

Nebraska’s medical cannabis program, approved by over 70% of voters last November, faces mounting opposition from state officials, including Attorney General Mike Hilgers and former Governor-turned-U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts. During legislative hearings on March 3, lawmakers discussed four bills aimed at regulating medical marijuana access, while the AG’s office warned of potential lawsuits against licensing efforts. Ricketts and Hilgers penned an op-ed urging lawmakers to ignore the voter mandate, arguing that marijuana remains unsafe and easily abused.

Proposed Bills:

• LB 651 (Sen. Danielle Conrad) & LB 677 (Sen. Ben Hansen): Establish regulatory framework, patient registry, and licensing for medical cannabis businesses.
• LB 705 (Sen. Terrell McKinney): Includes social equity provisions and record expungement for cannabis-related offenses.
• LB 483 (Sen. Jared Storm): Limits cannabis forms to pills and tinctures and caps THC at 300 mg per product.

While some lawmakers, including Senators Danielle Conrad and Ben Hansen, support implementing a regulated framework, others, like Senator Jared Storm, advocate for severe restrictions, limiting cannabis access to pills and tinctures. Meanwhile, advocates, including Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, rallied at the state capitol to demand lawmakers respect the will of the voters. Despite extensive debate and public testimony, no legislative action has been taken, leaving the future of medical cannabis in Nebraska uncertain.

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