Support for marijuana legalization continues to grow across Nebraska, according to newly released survey findings, nearly two years after voters strongly backed the legalization of medical marijuana.
The latest Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey, conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Rural Drug Addiction Research Center, compared public attitudes and cannabis use between 2024 and 2026.
In the 2026 survey, 47% of Nebraskans said they favored allowing cannabis for both recreational and medical purposes, up from 44% in 2024. Backing for medical marijuana alone also rose during the same period, with 84% expressing support compared with 80% two years earlier.
Nebraska residents approved medical cannabis through a statewide ballot measure in 2024, with a 71% vote. Since then, state officials have finalized permanent regulations, and the first cultivation license has been awarded, marking another step toward launching the program.
Researchers also found that cannabis use has increased. Fifteen percent of respondents in 2026 reported purchasing cannabis legally in another state, compared with 11% in 2024. Nebraska does not permit recreational marijuana, while neighboring Missouri and Colorado both have legal markets, making cross-border purchases an option for some residents.
The survey also identified a smaller but noticeable increase in the use of delta-8 and similar THC products. Reported use rose from 8% in 2024 to 10%. The products have remained available under provisions created by the 2018 Farm Bill, which expanded hemp production.
However, a new federal law scheduled to take effect in November will tighten THC limits in hemp products, potentially ending that legal pathway. Court challenges have already been filed against the measure.
Patrick Habecker, co-author of the report, said the rise in overall cannabis consumption, particularly among people traveling outside Nebraska to buy marijuana, stood out in the findings. He added that monitoring public opinion and changing consumption patterns is valuable because cannabis products and markets continue to evolve.
The survey also highlighted notable regional differences. Residents in metropolitan areas, including Sioux City, Omaha, Grand Island, and Lincoln, showed the strongest support for medical and recreational legalization at 54 percent. Support dropped to 35 percent in micropolitan communities and 32% in the state’s remaining counties.
Researchers said future surveys will examine how Nebraska’s market changes once medical cannabis becomes available and whether restrictions on hemp-derived THC products influence consumer behavior, including possible increases in out-of-state purchases, reduced use, or shifts toward illegal markets.
Marijuana companies, such as Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), operating in other markets where marijuana is already legal will be hoping that the medical cannabis program in Nebraska gets off to a good start without suffering major glitches that could delay patients’ access to the products they need.
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