“I didn’t fight a battle and I didn’t defend the United States to silence the voices of the 70%.”
By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner
The 2026 campaign for Governor will feature a medical cannabis advocate at the heart of Nebraska’s efforts to combat the illegal use of the drug approved by voters.
Jacy Todd, 54, of York who owns a CBD retail health store in central Nebraska says that he’s running because he wants to “be a voice of the people.” He said that, in part, he wanted to prove it is not only the richest people who can get elected, but also a family man from a middle class.
Todd Todd is the only Republican who has challenged incumbent Governor Jim Pillen (R). Jim Pillen, (R), ahead of the primary in May 2026. The winning candidate advances to the election in November 2026.
Todd said to the Nebraska Examiner, “I would like to give everyone hope and make them aware that they have an option.” We can all stand together. “We can stand together.”
Todd is not a stranger to the Nebraska State Capitol, or the public. In October, Hall County Attorney Marty Klein, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers (R) and their prosecutors charged Todd with 24 counts of improper notarizations, or “official misconduct”—Class II misdemeanors on the most recent medical cannabis ballot measure.
The prosecutors claim that Todd has notarized petitions of a particular circulator outside the presence of said circulator on each count.
Todd denied these allegations repeatedly and told The Examiner that he was innocent.
‘Grassroot this all the way’
Todd admitted that, if the State had been after him 10, years ago, he might have felt scared. He said that the people were tired, frustrated, and wanted change. He wants to visit Nebraska and talk to Nebraskans about what they’re struggling with and find out how he could help.
Pillen’s campaign fund was already about $3.7 Million in January. Todd, however, said that he would “out-voice” Pillen in a debate and will challenge Pillen. Pillen did not participate in debates during the 2022 election campaign.
Todd Todd says grassroots Nebraskans will not stand still for the change they want.
Todd stated, “I believe that Nebraska is powerful enough to take this issue all the way up to the Capitol building and do a thorough job there.”
Todd wants to be governor in part to end the opposition to what people want. When he began thinking of running for Governor, he was seeing politicians oppose the will of voters in Nebraska to legalize medicinal cannabis and to regulate its use.
Todd explained, “I’m not a soldier and I’m certainly not a defender of America for the sake of a few select people. My goal is to stop the 70 percent from speaking out.”
Cannabis medical focus
Todd was a combat medic during Operation Desert Storm and later joined Nebraska National Guard. Todd began to doubt the medical expertise of U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Both agencies suggested Todd “try” different medications to treat the post-traumatic anxiety disorder. At one point, Todd even considered suicide.
Todd says that when he tried marijuana to relieve his pain he had the “best sleep of my life.” Todd says he researched cannabis which helped him.
Todd says that at one time he began working with cannabis doctors from Colorado on some research. Todd was told by a doctor that the CB-1 and endocannabinoid receptors within his brain had helped save his life. He then created Herban Pulse in order to provide relief for other Nebraskans.
Todd has used cannabis for over 30 years and told lawmakers that he was “living evidence” that he could be a member of society. Todd also said he had run Little League Baseball programs, as well as being a scoutmaster. Todd said he could challenge any legislator who claims cannabis is harmful to intelligence.
If you want an IQ exam with a pothead then let’s go for it. Todd laughed. “I’ll make you all feel embarrassed to the point of no return.”
Todd stated that one of his objectives as Nebraska’s governor was to make the cannabis industry the best in America, which includes more research.
He stated that Hilgers, and other state officials, rule by their “visions” as to what hemp or marijuana should be legalized. However, he finds it hypocritical to try to ban “synthetic marijuana” on the one hand, while trying, via regulations, to prohibit the sale of the raw flower of the marijuana plant on the opposite.
Criminal allegations notary
Todd says he received a phone call last year from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. He immediately recognized that it was an intensive, coordinated look at the campaign for which he has been volunteering over the past four-years.
He was expecting the backlash, but he didn’t anticipate being a target. Todd claimed that he was blunt in telling an investigator how he obtained his medical cannabis notary’s license and had followed all the rules.
Todd was asked about Michael Egbert from Grand Island, who later pleaded guilty for illegally registering voters on the petitions to legalize cannabis, using, among other things, a telephone directory. No signatures from Egbert’s collection were counted.
Todd stated that Egbert was to come in his store every Monday and he would see Egbert sign. Egbert claimed that Todd had not done this detail on 24 of the dates.
Todd recalled telling the investigator that Egbert was the “right guy.” Egbert claimed that he had a memory impairment due to a medical condition. Todd’s products were meant to treat this.
Todd says he said to his lawyer as he was preparing to testify in this case, “I’m telling the truth.” The civil trial that sought to disqualify petitions for the November ballot 2024 ultimately failed. There is nothing I would like to conceal. “Set us up for deposition.”
I’ll continue to take depositions for as long as the other party wants me to. Anyone can talk to me about this. Todd replied, “I didn’t commit any wrong.” If you tell the truth, there’s no need to be concerned about anything.
Todd claimed that he did not invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, and answered all questions. The civil trial was set for him to give testimony, but just days prior he fell through the roof and was seriously injured. Since then, he has recovered.
Todd says he became angry when the investigators called him. Todd was not only determined to win, he had a strong sense of anger.
Todd explained that it brought her closer to the truth about the corruption at the Capitol. “My aim is: If I can cut the puppet string coming from D.C. to Nebraska, that would be an excellent start.”
Heading to Trial
Todd’s criminal case was dismissed by the county judge, who ruled that notaries cannot be charged as Todd had been. Todd, Todd’s attorney, and other court observers claim that Todd was the first notary in California, or perhaps the entire nation, to face criminal charges for failing to perform his notarial duties.
Hall County District Court reversed this ruling and sent the case to trial. The district judge likewise questioned the resources being used to pursue Todd “when looking at the…voice of its residents.”
Todd and his lawyer plan to “roll dice” with 12 jurors instead of one single judge. Todd added: “I think that it won’t take very long and they will find me not guilty.”
Todd’s criminal trial is scheduled to begin in September. Todd retains his Notary License.
‘I will fight’
Todd’s accusations are seen by legal observers as a test case to criminally examine notaries who participate in petition campaigns and other initiatives that may be deemed unacceptable by government officials in Nebraska or in other states.
Todd stated that he intends to change the course of the state immediately by promoting honesty and transparency.
The GOP has long advocated eliminating secret ballots every two-years and no meetings behind closed doors.
Todd stated that he will continue to deal with property taxes, and end the “pyramid scheme”, which shifts taxes from property taxes to sales taxes. Todd wants to reduce spending and pay for tax relief by creating an independent auditing team that will start at the Capitol and look at “the bread and butter” of government.
Pillen has sought to reduce the annual $5.3 billion in property taxes, most to local K–12 schools, since taking office in 2023 by broadening the state’s sales tax base. Multiple times, lawmakers have refused to act.
Todd will also be meeting with state and federal leaders from other states in order to determine what possible solutions could work here.
Todd, in his message to Nebraskans said that he was working for the people. He also joked that four more years under Pillen would make it a difficult pill to take for Nebraskans. This was a slap at Pillen for saying this spring he’d implement medical cannabis.
Todd stated, “I will stand up for Nebraska and all its citizens.” “I do not pick sides.”
Nebraska Examiner published this article first.
Mike Latimer provided the photo.