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More than two-thirds of Nebraska voters approved legalizing medical cannabis in November 2024, establishing protections for patients. But more than a year later, health care practitioners remain in more of a gray area.“We’re 15 months out since the election, and we don’t have individuals getting recommendation from doctors in the state,” said Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana.Advocates say the program’s newness is part of the reason. Some lawmakers argue another factor is concern among providers about potential legal consequences. “The highest law enforcement officer in the state has made threats against both the commission, the Legislature, and doctors if they follow what the voters voted for,” Sen. John Cavanaugh said, referring to Attorney General Mike Hilgers’ opposition.What to know: Nebraska bill to protect practitioners who recommend medical cannabis advancesCavanaugh introduced Legislative Bill 933, which would extend explicit legal protections to health care practitioners who recommend medical cannabis to patients. “This is what is done in every state. This is what Nebraska needs to do,” Eggers said.The bill received bipartisan support from the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee. Five lawmakers voted to advance it, while two voted against it. “It really gives me hope that the day we have worked so long and hard to see, that they actually get that recommendation,” Eggers said.The measure could face challenges if it reaches the full legislature. Advocates expect opposition on the floor, where it would take 33 votes to overcome a filibuster.State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, one of the two committee members who voted against the bill, said he is concerned the proposal grants overly broad protections to practitioners.“It gives too many blanket protections for health care practitioners that other doctors and physicians don’t have,” Ballard said.Cavanaugh said it’s already very narrow.“We did add that amendment when it came out of committee that did tighten up the language, that explicitly required that doctors follow the standard of care,” he said.It is unclear when LB933 would be scheduled for debate on the legislative floor.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
More than two-thirds of Nebraska voters approved legalizing medical cannabis in November 2024, establishing protections for patients. But more than a year later, health care practitioners remain in more of a gray area.
“We’re 15 months out since the election, and we don’t have individuals getting recommendation from doctors in the state,” said Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana.
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Advocates say the program’s newness is part of the reason. Some lawmakers argue another factor is concern among providers about potential legal consequences.
“The highest law enforcement officer in the state has made threats against both the commission, the Legislature, and doctors if they follow what the voters voted for,” Sen. John Cavanaugh said, referring to Attorney General Mike Hilgers’ opposition.
What to know: Nebraska bill to protect practitioners who recommend medical cannabis advances
Cavanaugh introduced Legislative Bill 933, which would extend explicit legal protections to health care practitioners who recommend medical cannabis to patients.
“This is what is done in every state. This is what Nebraska needs to do,” Eggers said.
The bill received bipartisan support from the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee. Five lawmakers voted to advance it, while two voted against it.
“It really gives me hope that the day we have worked so long and hard to see, that they actually get that recommendation,” Eggers said.
The measure could face challenges if it reaches the full legislature. Advocates expect opposition on the floor, where it would take 33 votes to overcome a filibuster.
State Sen. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, one of the two committee members who voted against the bill, said he is concerned the proposal grants overly broad protections to practitioners.
“It gives too many blanket protections for health care practitioners that other doctors and physicians don’t have,” Ballard said.
Cavanaugh said it’s already very narrow.
“We did add that amendment when it came out of committee that did tighten up the language, that explicitly required that doctors follow the standard of care,” he said.
It is unclear when LB933 would be scheduled for debate on the legislative floor.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
