How to get a medical mj card in nebraska

Medical cannabis advocates submit nearly 200,000 signatures for pair of statutory ballot petitions

After years of inaction in the state legislature, the ballot question committee Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) has been leading the effort to let Nebraska voters decide the issue of medical cannabis. On July 7 of this year, after nine months of hard work, the coalition of families, patients, and allies submitted over 90,000 signatures with the Nebraska Sec. of State for each of two medical cannabis ballot initiatives.

Last year the campaign opted to file a pair of statutory initiatives — one that would allow qualifying patients to possess medical cannabis and another to establish a regulated medical cannabis market — after a 2020 Nebraska Supreme Court decision struck down a previous constitutional ballot measure for medical cannabis based on the argument that it contained more than one subject.

The campaign had hoped to raise significant resources to fund a robust signature drive, but a series of personal tragedies prevented key donors from contributing to the effort. Despite the setback, the campaign’s massive volunteer base still managed to collect an impressive number of signatures.

Each initiative requires roughly 87,000 valid voter signatures to qualify for the ballot, and state officials are expected to make an announcement about whether the measures are certified by late August.


Current marijuana laws in Nebraska

Possession is illegal in Nebraska. Possession of one ounce or less is an infraction, which is punishable by a maximum fine of $300, and the judge may order the offender to complete a drug education course. A second conviction for possession of one ounce or less is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $500, and the third and subsequent convictions for possession of one ounce or less are a misdemeanor and are punishable by a maximum sentence of seven days imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500.

Cultivation is not allowed. Cultivation penalties in Nebraska are based upon the total weight of the plants found.

There is no medical marijuana program or any other allowances for patients in Nebraska.


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A Nebraska committee on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Anna Wishart (D), would allow patients with certain qualifying conditions to purchase and possess up to two and a half ounces of cannabis from licensed dispensaries. It would not allow patients to smoke marijuana, however.

Members of the Judiciary Committee approved the measure in a 5-2 vote, sending the bill to the full unicameral legislature for consideration.

Wishart and Sen. Adam Morfeld (D) have been consistent champions of cannabis reform, and while this bill is a fairly limited proposal to legalize medical marijuana, the pair announced in December that they’re working to put the question of legalization for adult use before voters in 2022.

Their campaign—Nebraskans for Medical Cannabis—is separately collecting signatures for a medical cannabis legalization measure that they hope to place on the 2022 ballot as well.


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How to get a medical mj card in nebraska

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The group qualified a measure to legalize medical marijuana for last year’s ballot. But the state Supreme Court shut it down following a single-subject challenge.

Judiciary Chairman Steve Lathrop (R) voted in favor of the latest medical cannabis bill, stating that it’s a superior vehicle for the reform compared to one that would be placed on the ballot.

If activists do collect enough signatures to qualify either the medical or recreational cannabis measure, they will still likely face a challenge at the polls, as midterms generally see lower turnout as compared to presidential election years.

That said, it’s possible that the continuing momentum for reform via the ballot could spur lawmakers to potentially pass medical cannabis legislation such as Wishart’s bill in the meantime.

Nebraska legislative committee sends medical cannabis bill, by Sen. @NebraskaAnna, to the floor for debate.https://t.co/L3lJSaJ2tC
acd8-9184-11eb-9a52-476f1bfa7b58.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest pic.twitter.com/UslcDFZ00Q

— Nebraska Democratic Party (@NebraskaDems) March 30, 2021

That said, Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) is an ardent opponent of marijuana reform, so it seems likely he would veto any medical cannabis bill that lawmakers sent to his desk.

Under last year’s blocked Nebraska medical cannabis initiative, physicians would have been able to recommend cannabis to patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions, and those patients would then have been allowed to possess, purchase and “discreetly” cultivate marijuana for personal use.

For what it’s worth, Nebraska’s attorney general said in an opinion in 2019 that efforts to legalize medical marijuana in the state would be preempted by federal law and “would be, therefore, unconstitutional.”

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How to get a medical mj card in nebraska

Can I get a medical card in Nebraska?

Currently, medical cannabis is not legalized in Nebraska. Cannabis remains illegal to possess and use in the state of Nebraska, pending a 2022 vote by residents.

What illness qualifies for medical Marijuanas?

Qualifying Debilitating Medical Conditions.
Terminal illness..
Cancer..
Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV Positive).
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Decompensated cirrhosis..
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig's Disease).
Agitation of Alzheimer's disease..

How much does a medical card cost?

Basic rates: Single person living alone aged up to 65: €184 for medical card and €304 for GP visit card. Single person living alone aged 66 and over: €201.50 for medical card and €333 for GP visit card.
Possession of edibles, or consumable foods, teas, or other products containing marijuana or THC concentrate are a Class IV felony in Nebraska, punishable by a maximum sentence of 2 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000. Even one “pot” brownie may land you charged with a felony.