Tribe in Nebraska approves first marijuana license as state officials scale back voter-approved medical cannabis law

Nebraska’s officials are under fire for their attempts to drastically reduce a medical marijuana law that was approved by voters. A Native American tribe in the state, however, has just granted its first licence since legalization within its borders occurred earlier this year.

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska Cannabis Regulatory Commission held its first meeting Monday to discuss proposed rules for the establishment of the tribal marijuana industry. Also, they agreed to give the tribe a licence to take the next step in setting up this industry.

John Cartier said in a statement that he hopes that over time, the Omaha Reservation will “stand out as a contrast to this dysfunction” and that voters’ wishes are respected.

“We will grant medical cannabis access to people who are in need of help,” said he.

Under the legalization code that the tribe adopted in July—making it the first to enact such a reform in a state where lawmakers have long resisted the policy change—adults 21 and older can purchase and possess up to an ounce of cannabis as long as they’re on the tribal land.

Arthur Isagholian warned that if you break the rules and get caught using product you bought on tribal land you are on your own, as NTV reported.

Although the tribe granted a vertically-integrated license in order to facilitate the legalization process, there is no indication of when regulatory rules and regulations will be put up for vote.

The tribe’s license “will be subject, obviously, to our published rules and regulations—but just so the tribe is able to start working towards agreements, equity and funding while we’re hashing this out,” a member said.

In November, the members of this commission are expected to meet again and approve some or all of their proposed rules.

In a statement released ahead of the Monday meeting, Tribal Attorney General said some things that were not kind to state officials.

“While Nebraska’s process lurches from delay to debate, we’re doing the one thing patients and businesses need—governing,” Cartier said. On October 27, we gave Nebraska the green light: clear rules and real oversight for a well-regulated, workable industry that is rooted in safety and sovereignty.

We want to be a contrast to this dysfunction [at the state level] He said, “We’re ready to go forward and grant medical marijuana access to those who need it.”

Not only him is the critic. After a panel appointed by the governor proposed new rules on the medical marijuana market that included prohibitive purchase limits, advocates have strongly protested against the state.

—
MEDCAN24 tracks hundreds of marijuana, psychedelics, and drug policy legislation in state legislatures this year. Patreon subscribers who donate at least $25/month gain access to interactive maps, charts, hearing calendars and more.

Find out more about our marijuana law tracker. To gain access, become a Patreon supporter.
—

However, despite the fact that the State has approved its first business license for medical marijuana to a grower, it is not yet possible to legally access these products by patients.

Nebraskan activists also filed a petition last month to legalize pot and to establish constitutional rights to cannabis use for all adults older than 21. If the organizers can collect enough valid voter signatures by 2026, they could make it to the ballot.

The marijuana reform push also comes as the state attorney general is cracking down on sales of intoxicating hemp-derived products, including those containing delta-8 THC.

Las year’s approval of two medical marijuana ballot measures came after an earlier attempt in 2020 gathered enough signatures for ballot placement, but saw the measure invalidated by the state Supreme Court following a single-subject challenge. Supporters then came up short on signatures for revised petitions in 2022 due in large part to the loss of funding after one of their key donors died in a plane crash.

California State Fair Photo.