Neb.: Medical cannabis cultivation applications open, speak out against terrible rules

Nebraska’s emergency rules for medical cannabis have gotten even worse in their latest iteration. After successfully demanding that regulators add a hard cap on medical cannabis plants, Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed new emergency regulations into law on September 9. As emergency rules, these will need to be replaced with permanent rules. 

Outrageously, the emergency rules ban the sale of all edibles, in addition to raw flower and vaporization products. They cap the total number of growers at four and allow only 1,250 plants each, regardless of whether this meets demand. We outline these and many other problems with the rules here.

If you live in Nebraska and are able, please show up in person to urge the commission to enact permanent rules that respect the voter-enacted law:

  What: Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission meeting 

  When: September 30, 1:00 p.m.

  Where: 301 Centennial Mall South, 1st floor, Hearing Room, Lincoln, NE

In other news, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is accepting cultivator applications through September 23 for licenses in this knee-capped program. Applications will be chosen by lottery. To be eligible for licensure, they must score at least 70 out of 100 on factors like comprehensive business plans, financial stability, and operational readiness.

While the outrageous emergency rules are dispiriting, don’t give up. In other states, the outcry of voters and patients has prevented lawmakers and regulators from gutting the voter-enacted cannabis laws. And in many states, initially restrictive laws and rules were relaxed in future years.

And remember, it’s only due to people-power that regulations were issued at all. The commission was stalled until advocates mobilized around an implementation bill, which forced the governor’s hand. 

Keep raising your voice and standing up for a compassionate, functional program!