Lincoln State Senator Anna Wishart introduced a new bill last week that would legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska.
The senator had helped to lead a ballot initiative last year that although had over 190,000 signatures to legalize medical cannabis, was still rejected by the Nebraska Supreme Court. The group only needed 120,000 signatures to be considered.
The Court had said the petition violated single subject rule and that it would’ve allowed for the production and sale of cannabis along with using it for medical conditions.
“The ballot initiative was not about medical marijuana, because it was not going to be prescribed by a doctor. It was not going to be distributed through a pharmacy,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts last year. “It wasn’t a real medical thing.”
In a statement sent to KETV Newswatch 7, Wishart stated, “[Friday] I introduced another bill, LB474, to legalize medical cannabis. I do this to honor the Nebraskans I have met along this long and winding journey. They deserve representatives who will show up and go the distance for positive change that improves the lives of families in our state no matter how many challenges are met along the way.”
“On the journey to legalize medical cannabis in Nebraska, I have met so many brave people that inspire me. Veterans who have lost limbs in war serving our country, cancer survivors who have beaten all odds, people with debilitating pain who refuse to give up, and kids like Colton who suffer from seizures at such a young age and still show up to their life with a smile. All of these Nebraskans deserve the right to access a plant-based medicine that has evolved with humans for over 10,000+ years. None of them should be treated like criminals in our state,” said Wishart.
Omaha Senator Justin Wayne has also introduced a new bill to legalize recreational use of cannabis for Nebraskans 21 and older.
