This November, Nebraska voters will have the opportunity to decide the future of medical marijuana in their state. After years of advocacy, two separate medical cannabis initiatives have made their way onto the ballot, marking a major step toward reform.
State officials, including Secretary of State Bob Evnen, confirmed last week that the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Initiative and the Nebraska Medical Regulation Initiative have both surpassed the 100% signature threshold required for verification. However, the final certification of these initiatives for the ballot is still pending as counties complete the signature verification process.
Two Initiatives, One Mission
The first initiative, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Initiative, is designed to protect medical cannabis patients and their caregivers from legal consequences related to the use of medical marijuana. This initiative aims to ensure that patients suffering from chronic illnesses, such as cancer and epilepsy, can safely access the treatment they need without fear of prosecution.
Meanwhile, the second initiative, the Nebraska Medical Regulation Initiative, would establish a Medical Cannabis Commission. This commission would be responsible for regulating the production, distribution, and sales of medical cannabis throughout the state, providing a framework for how businesses involved in the industry should operate.
Together, these measures are intended to ensure that patients have legal access to medical cannabis, while also creating a regulated marketplace that operates under state oversight.
A Milestone for Advocates
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, the group responsible for driving these initiatives, has worked tirelessly to gather the necessary signatures. Earlier this year, they submitted over 114,000 signatures for each initiative—far exceeding the minimum 87,126 signatures required to qualify for the November ballot. However, final certification is still pending as local election officials continue verifying signatures in several counties.
The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Initiative has so far collected 89,051 valid signatures, while the Medical Regulation Initiative has gathered 89,005. Both totals exceed the required 100% threshold for verification, but election officials are awaiting the final 110% mark, which would allow the verification process to cease ahead of the September 13 deadline for ballot certification.
Despite this ongoing process, advocates are optimistic. “Although our fight is not over, we are one step closer to the day that patients in our state will have compassionate access to medical cannabis,” said Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana in a recent statement.
The Road to November
Nebraska’s Secretary of State Bob Evnen emphasized that the signature verification process is proceeding smoothly. “Our office is providing this update to keep voters informed of where county election offices are in the signature verification process,” Evnen said. “Election workers are checking every voter’s signature on the remaining petitions, and we will have petitions verified before the September 13 deadline to certify the November ballot.”
This update marks a major milestone for Nebraska’s cannabis movement. In 2020, a similar effort to legalize medical marijuana was blocked by the state Supreme Court on technical grounds, citing the violation of a state law that prevents ballot measures from addressing more than one subject. This time, however, the separation of medical marijuana into two initiatives—one for patient protection and another for regulation—has been a critical strategy to avoid legal challenges.
Strong Public Support
Polls show that Nebraskans are largely in favor of legalizing medical marijuana. A survey conducted earlier this year by the Nebraska Examiner found that approximately 70% of voters support allowing patients to access medical cannabis. This overwhelming support has been a driving force behind the campaigns, and many believe that the dual initiatives stand a good chance of passing.
Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), underscored the importance of this vote. “States have a proven track record of safely and effectively regulating medical marijuana,” Armentano said. “After November, Nebraskans will no longer be forced to choose between their medicine or their freedom.”
What’s Next?
If both initiatives pass, Nebraska will join 38 other states that have already legalized medical marijuana, creating a legal pathway for patients in the state to access treatment. Additionally, the creation of a Medical Cannabis Commission will help ensure that the sale and production of medical cannabis are carefully regulated, preventing any potential issues that could arise in an unregulated market.
As Nebraskans prepare to vote in November, the stakes are clear: legalizing medical cannabis would provide relief for thousands of patients across the state while creating a responsible, regulated market for medical marijuana. Advocates are hopeful, but the final decision lies with the voters.
A Smart Strategy for Reform
One key reason for optimism is the well-crafted strategy used by advocates to split the medical cannabis proposal into two separate initiatives. This approach not only addresses the legal issues that derailed previous efforts, but it also allows voters to consider two different aspects of medical marijuana reform—patient protection and industry regulation.
Although voters will be asked to weigh in on both initiatives, the risk of confusion is minimal due to the widespread support for medical marijuana. As the campaign continues to build momentum, Nebraskans will soon have the chance to make their voices heard on one of the most important healthcare issues of our time.
