A bill in the Nebraska Legislature aimed at helping put voter-approved medical marijuana laws into action did not pass on Tuesday. Despite strong support from voters last November, lawmakers couldn’t overcome a filibuster in the chamber. Legislative Bill 677 fell short of the 33 votes needed to end debate, with a narrow 23-22 vote failing to move it forward.
Senator Ben Hansen, who introduced the bill, tried to appeal to his colleagues’ compassion, arguing that medical marijuana could offer real help to suffering patients. He stressed that even if they were hesitant about marijuana, they could still support relief for those in need.
Senator Glen Meyer echoed Hansen’s sentiment, urging fellow legislators to trust in each other’s judgment and humanity to find a path forward. Six other Republicans joined Meyer and Hansen in backing the bill, but it wasn’t enough to counter the opposition led by prominent GOP figures like Governor Jim Pillen, Attorney General Mike Hilgers, and U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts.
Their public pushback convinced enough lawmakers to block LB 677. They argued that the newly established Medical Cannabis Commission, created by voters and given full authority to regulate medical marijuana, should be allowed to work independently before any legislative changes are made.
There are also legal battles still playing out. Hilgers’ office is pursuing a case questioning the legality of how the cannabis laws made it onto the ballot. At the same time, he has rallied support from law enforcement groups, including sheriffs and police chiefs, against the bill.
Still, advocates like Senator John Fredrickson pushed back, arguing that the fears surrounding marijuana were outdated. He argued that lawmakers should focus on putting effective guardrails in place rather than blocking what the voters supported.
Senators like Dan Quick and Megan Hunt shared personal stories and frustrations, emphasizing that medical cannabis could be life-changing for families struggling with addiction or chronic health issues. Others noted the inconsistency of opposing this bill while supporting changes to other voter-approved initiatives on paid leave and minimum wage.
LB 677’s failure has frustrated many who believe the proposal is necessary to make the voter-approved reforms a reality. Some see it as another example of lawmakers ignoring the public’s will, while others view it as a deliberate delay tactic to weaken support or force legal battles.
Despite the setback, activists and supporters of medical cannabis have vowed to keep pressing forward. Many believe that the rejection of LB 677 could drive momentum toward full legalization in future elections, possibly as soon as 2026.
The failure to advance an enabling law creating a regulated medical marijuana program in Nebraska adversely affects the opening of broader economic activity, such as the sprouting of companies that offer services along the model of Innovative Industrial Properties Inc. (NYSE: IIPR) operating in other jurisdictions.
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