The legislators have not yet acted, so I am giving the people an opportunity to voice their concerns to their representatives.
By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner
This weekend, state lawmakers have scheduled three public forums in eastern Nebraska to give the public an opportunity to comment on proposed legislation and medical marijuana.
State Senators John Cavanaugh, Rick Holdcroft, and Ben Hansen, all from Blair, will host this series in La Vista on Saturday, Omaha on Sunday, and Lincoln, Nebraska, Monday. The series will include updates about the medical cannabis bill, Hansen’s Legislative Bill 67, as well as an opportunity for attendees to “share their opinions.”
Schedule:
- Saturday, May 3, from 1–3 p.m. at the Carpenters Union Hall in La Vista (10761 Virginia Plaza, La Vista).
- Sunday, May 4, from 1–3 p.m., at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Thompson Alumni Center (8800 Dodge St., Omaha).
- Monday, May 5, from 5–7 p.m., at Southeast Community College (8800 O St., Lincoln).
During the 2-hour event, hosts will accommodate all speakers.
About 71 percent Nebraskans approved medical marijuana with a doctor’s prescription in November. And 67 percent voted to regulate the industry.
Cavanaugh said to the Nebraska Examiner that “since the legislature failed to act, I wanted to give citizens the opportunity to make their voices heard.”
Hansen stated that the purpose of the town halls is to inform and educate the public on the legislative process, and also receive their feedback.
General Affairs Committee
Hansen’s LB677 seeks help for ballot measures to build better barriers, and this is done with support from those who placed the measures before the voters.
This bill will delay the implementation of the law until the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission has time to develop regulations. Without funding, it is almost impossible for the commission to meet the July 1st deadline, and begin licensing within October.
Holdcroft, who chairs the General Affairs Committee of the Legislature, has stalled LB 677. Cavanaugh serves as vice-chair.
Holdcroft said he’d support a LB677 that was narrowed. Holdcroft said he wants to see “back and forth”, such as on the issue of smoking, or how many marijuana dispensaries would be allowed.
A committee meeting held on 17 April considered a committee amendment with a smaller scope that attempted to limit who is allowed to recommend medical marijuana, ban smoking for cannabis medical and prevent the sale of cannabis flowers or buds.
Eight members of the committee failed to attempt to add the amendment to LB677. Advancing the bill as-is failed along ideological lines, 3–5.
‘A little bit of limbo’
Hansen submitted an amendment five days after that to allow flower and bud sales, which Hansen considered a red line. Hansen filed a so-called “pull-motion” to advance LB 677 with a minimum of 25 votes from the 49 members in the legislative body. This would start the debate.
Hansen Amendment No. 2 would prohibit the sale of products containing THC.
Hansen says he’s “stuck” in “a bit of a “limbo”, trying to decide the best course of action. He prefers to work through the committee rather than the “little aggressive maneuver” that is a “pull motion”. It would be a “disservice to Nebraskans” if they didn’t even discuss this bill.
Hansen stated, “I hope that Sen. Holdcroft and myself, as well as the General Affairs Committee, can have a kumbaya-like moment here, and help move forward something that we will both like.”
The daily agenda is set by Speaker John Arch, R. of La Vista. He declined to comment on whether he will schedule Hansen’s motion for Hansen until the ongoing discussions are over.
‘Uphold the voice of the people’
Crista E. Eggers, Executive Director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana said, “We are very appreciative of the efforts of legislators to allow voters to speak their minds on the matter.”
“While we find it disheartening that Nebraskans are being asked to ‘clarify their vote,’ we hope this final effort makes it clear: Nebraskans support medical cannabis. Eggers explained that the voters knew for what they voted. Eggers said, “They are now demanding that lawmakers uphold the voices of the people.”
LB 677 is facing a deadline and financial situation that are tight in the final days of 2025’s legislative session. Debate on the state’s budget bills—with a major hole to still fill—is set to begin May 6. The budget final must be passed by May 15
The legislative session will end on June 9, 2019.
A law requiring at least 33 votes is required to pass, as lawmakers seek to amend laws approved by voters via ballot initiative.
State Senators also co-host the forums. Ashlei Spivey, John Fredrickson, Margo Cavanaugh, Megan Hunt, Megan Hunt, Myron Dorn, Merv Ralston and Wendy DeBoer, all of Omaha. Also, State Sens.
Nebraska Examiner published this article first.
Nebraska Senator requests investigation into spending by opponents of the medical marijuana ballot initiative
Philip Steffan is the photographer.