In November, Nebraska voters will have the opportunity to decide on the legalization of medical marijuana, as confirmed by state officials last week. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced on Friday that two separate initiatives related to medical cannabis will be included on the ballot for the general election, as reported by the Associated Press.
Earlier this year, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, a pro-legalization group, submitted petitions with around 114,000 signatures from voters in favor of medical cannabis legalization—well above the required 86,000 to qualify for the ballot. According to Evnen, approximately 89,000 signatures have been verified for each measure, meeting the state’s requirement of signatures from at least 5% of registered voters across a minimum of 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties.
“We’re thrilled that Nebraskans will finally have the chance to voice their opinions on this crucial issue in November,” said Crista Eggers, campaign manager for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana. “It’s been a long and challenging journey, but we’ve never wavered. Soon, patients in Nebraska will have access to medical cannabis treatments.”
The two ballot measures are complementary: one would legalize medical marijuana, and the other would establish a regulatory system for its production and sale. This effort follows a 2020 Nebraska Supreme Court decision that blocked a previous attempt to place a medical marijuana measure on the ballot, citing a violation of the state’s single-subject rule for ballot initiatives.
The Secretary of State noted that the initiatives have not yet been officially certified for the ballot, as some counties are still verifying signatures. If the verified signatures reach 110% of the required number, Evnen will certify the initiatives for the ballot.
Supporters of marijuana reform were enthusiastic about the Secretary of State’s announcement, celebrating the chance for Nebraskans to vote on medical marijuana legalization. A poll conducted earlier this year by the Nebraska Examiner revealed that 70% of voters in the state support legalizing medical cannabis.
“States have demonstrated that they can safely and effectively regulate medical marijuana,” said Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), in a statement. “After November, Nebraskans won’t have to choose between their medicine and their freedom.”
Brian Vicente, founder of Vicente LLP, a law firm specializing in cannabis and psychedelics, highlighted the strategy behind placing two separate initiatives on the ballot. “By splitting the legalization and regulation aspects into two measures, the campaign has effectively avoided potential legal challenges related to the single-subject rule,” he explained. While this approach requires voters to cast two votes on medical marijuana, Vicente believes that with over 70% voter support, Nebraska is well-positioned to pass these measures.
Nebraska joins Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota as states where voters will decide on cannabis policy reform this year. Currently, 38 states have legalized medical marijuana, and 24 states have legalized recreational cannabis.
