LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — Nebraska lawmakers gathered Friday morning for an interim study at the Capitol to evaluate the state’s rocky rollout of its medical cannabis program.
Members of the General Affairs Committee, led by Sen. John Cavanaugh, invited advocates, physicians, and marijuana experts to testify. However, members of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission — central to the controversy — were notably absent despite invitations.
Advocates Blast the Program as a “Failure”
Advocate Crista Eggers delivered some of the day’s harshest criticism, calling the program’s rollout an “utter failure.”
“I wish I was here today to thank you all for your role in implementing the will of the voters,” Eggers said. “But unfortunately, I’m here to speak about utter failure.”
Eggers, who worked on LB 677, the bill meant to establish a legal framework for medical cannabis, said the commission’s lack of funding, delays, and restrictive rules ignored the will of voters.
“Warnings were given of what would happen if the commission was left to act,” she said. “Ironically, most everything that is failing today with this commission could’ve been avoided.”
Doctors Question Restrictions on Raw Cannabis
Dr. Amanda McKinney, a triple board-certified physician from Beatrice, criticized the commission’s ban on raw cannabis flower, calling the restriction unnecessary and harmful to patients.
“These regulations are, at best, unnecessary, and their implementation would undermine the medical cannabis program,” McKinney said. “They would likely be ineffectual or fail outright.”
McKinney, who has written peer-reviewed papers and teaches medical cannabis at three universities, said prohibiting flower for smoking or vaping prevents patients from receiving quick relief for conditions like pain, anxiety, or seizures.
“In an emergency situation where someone is having a seizure, you can actually help them vaporize the cannabis,” she explained.
She added that fears surrounding marijuana are largely exaggerated. “There’s a culture of fear around marijuana, but it’s blown out of proportion,” McKinney said. “The amount of kerfuffle over this plant is insane.”
Lawmakers Push Back
Several committee members — including Sens. DeKay, Andersen, Storm, and Chair Rick Holdcroft — defended the commission’s work. They argued that what’s been implemented reflects exactly what Nebraskans voted for, adding that smoking marijuana should be considered recreational, not medical, use.
Sen. Storm said the slow pace in setting regulations and licensing growers and dispensaries was intentional to ensure the commission could “get it correct.”
Sen. Cavanaugh Accuses Commission of Overreach
Sen. John Cavanaugh, who introduced the interim study in May, said he now plans to file a complaint against the commission for overstepping its authority.
“They are making it more restrictive than they should, which violates the spirit of the law,” Cavanaugh said. “And they are creating restrictions they do not have the power to create, which is a violation of the letter of the law.”
Cavanaugh cited examples including limits on how much cannabis individuals can possess and restrictions on medical professionals’ recommendations — both of which were already set by statute.
He urged the committee to send a letter demanding that the commission answer questions and address these concerns.
What’s Next
The General Affairs Committee will review the testimony and evidence gathered Friday as it drafts new legislation for the next session, hoping to address the regulatory confusion and accessibility issues that have stalled Nebraska’s medical cannabis program.
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