Nebraska’s Attorney General Mike Hilgers and former Governor Pete Ricketts are asking the state legislature to reject two citizen-led initiatives concerning medical marijuana production, use, and possession. The measures were approved by about 70% of voters in the recent election.
In an opinion piece, Hilgers and Ricketts, now a U.S. Senator, urged lawmakers to disregard the voters’ decision stating that the legislature is not obligated to act on the matter. They expressed concerns over marijuana use, claiming it is harmful, prone to abuse, and unsafe even when used for medical purposes.
Ricketts, a long-time cannabis reform opponent, has previously made extreme claims, including saying that legalizing cannabis could put young people’s lives at risk. The Attorney General’s office warned that if regulators tried to license medical marijuana providers, the state would take legal action, alleging violations of federal law. Legalization opponents have sued to overturn the November election results.
Lawmakers recently heard arguments regarding a proposed law, Legislative Bill 483, which seeks to prevent patients from accessing cannabis in its natural form. Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of NORML, spoke against the measure, emphasizing that voters had clearly expressed their desire for regulated medical marijuana access.
He described the measure as both undemocratic and harmful to patients, explaining that restricting access to only pill or oral forms of cannabis could delay symptom relief for those experiencing nausea, pain, or muscle spasms.
Over 300 people provided testimony opposing LB 483.
Lawmakers also discussed separate measures aimed at refining regulations for medical marijuana access. Supporters of these initiatives, including the advocacy group Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, gathered at the state capitol to protest efforts to overturn voter-approved measures. Despite extensive debate, no votes were cast on any cannabis-related legislation.
Armentano warned that the state’s attempt to override the election outcome is part of a broader trend seen in GOP-led states. He pointed to Ohio, where lawmakers recently pushed for new restrictions that rolled back voter-approved cannabis legalization, and South Dakota, where a similar attempt to repeal medical marijuana protections narrowly failed.
“In a democracy, different policy perspectives should be debated, and voters’ decisions should be respected,” Armentano stated. “But increasingly, opponents of cannabis reform are working to sideline voters entirely. Regardless of one’s stance on marijuana, these actions should be deeply concerning to anyone who values the democratic process.”
The cannabis industry, including enterprises like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), is likely to be concerned by this growing trend in which lawmakers take steps to try and sideline what voters have decided during an election.
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