Cannabis Commission: Rules Here to Stay

The wheels continue turning slowly on the rollout of medical marijuana in Nebraska. The state’s Cannabis Commission met today for the first time since a public hearing on the regulations they approved, and those regulations are proving to be far more restrictive than many advocates had hoped. Some even argue the new measures are against the law, but the Cannabis Commission is continuing to move forward with its plans.

Each meeting tells a similar story  emotional testimony from patients and families pleading for change, surrounded by the weight of their suffering. “Wishing I could do more, thinking I need to do better,” said one emotional speaker, reflecting the frustrations many Nebraskans feel toward the Cannabis Commission.

During the latest meeting, a line of passionate testifiers expressed anger and disappointment, asking the Cannabis Commission to reconsider its strict stance. “I wouldn’t trust any of you within 100 feet of my family if I ever needed care, because you’ve proven that you cannot be trusted,” one attendee said.

Despite the pushback, the Cannabis Commission has not budged from its decision to enforce strict controls on the total number of cultivators and even the number of plants that can be grown in Nebraska. Commissioners say their goal is to maintain a balanced system that doesn’t become oversaturated. “We actually want it to work and not be so oversaturated that everybody goes out of business and loses everything they’ve invested,” a member explained.

Under the new guidelines, patients will face limits on how they can use cannabis — no flower, no vaping, and no flavored edibles will be permitted. “We don’t typically make medical decisions based on popular vote. We make medical decisions based on science and research,” said one Cannabis Commission representative.

Although 71% of Nebraskans voted in favor of medical cannabis, the Cannabis Commission insists its duty is to provide the treatment in a way that won’t do more harm than good. Still, the regulations have drawn widespread criticism, with hundreds of comments pouring in from across Nebraska opposing the current approach.

All three commissioners skipped last week’s legislative hearing meant to evaluate how successful the rollout has been. Senator John Kavanagh argued that the Cannabis Commission may have overstepped its authority, claiming it has “no authority to regulate any conduct explicitly allowed under the Patient Protection Act.”

Nevertheless, the Cannabis Commission is keeping those rules in place — a decision that could soon open the door to legal challenges from advocates and patients alike. As Nebraska’s debate over medical cannabis continues, the Cannabis Commission remains at the center of a growing controversy about access, legality, and compassion in healthcare.

by Youtube