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Nebraska has been left out of a federal budget provision that prevents the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration from interfering with state medical marijuana programs, a move cannabis advocates say further sheds doubt on patient access in the state.Marijuana remains a federally controlled substance, but for years, Congress has included a rider in federal spending bills that bars the DOJ and DEA from targeting state-authorized medical cannabis programs. “New states that have legalized for medical use are added to that rider, giving protections at the federal level,” Crista Eggers with Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana said. Eggers said it’s rare for any state to be left out and that Nebraska was either deliberately or mistakenly kept out.“They are using every single avenue available to stop this,” Eggers said.Advocates say the exclusion creates new uncertainty for patients and providers as Nebraska works to implement its voter-approved medical cannabis program.Americans for Safe Access held a webinar Monday with candidates for federal office, arguing the decision was not an administrative oversight but a deliberate action. “I think it’s driven by our delegation and its continued attempt to undermine what the people want,” Sen. John Cavanaugh said.Cannabis advocates specifically pointed at U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, a longtime opponent of medical marijuana. In a statement to KETV, Ricketts said he is concerned about cannabis use.“I respect the will of Nebraskans and the process of the ballot amendments,” Ricketts said. “If Nebraska’s laws are at odds with federal laws, a process will have to play out, and I will continue to express my concern for the risks of marijuana if it gets into the hands of kids.”Dan Osborn, an independent running against Ricketts, criticized the senator’s approach during the Monday webinar.”Nobody should have to choose between their rights and their health,” Osborn said. “And federal prohibition is also blocking the research that this medicine deserves.”U.S. Rep. Don Bacon said on Monday it was his first time hearing of the issue.“I have not interfered,” Bacon said in a statement. “Regardless, I am for states having the lead when it comes to cannabis policies and prefer the federal government stay away.”Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana has started a series of statewide listening sessions to address barriers to access and growing concerns among patients.“I never thought that I would have to go and travel the state again after this passing by 71% and talk to people about what is going wrong,” Eggers said.
Nebraska has been left out of a federal budget provision that prevents the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration from interfering with state medical marijuana programs, a move cannabis advocates say further sheds doubt on patient access in the state.
Marijuana remains a federally controlled substance, but for years, Congress has included a rider in federal spending bills that bars the DOJ and DEA from targeting state-authorized medical cannabis programs.
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“New states that have legalized for medical use are added to that rider, giving protections at the federal level,” Crista Eggers with Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana said.
Eggers said it’s rare for any state to be left out and that Nebraska was either deliberately or mistakenly kept out.
“They are using every single avenue available to stop this,” Eggers said.
Advocates say the exclusion creates new uncertainty for patients and providers as Nebraska works to implement its voter-approved medical cannabis program.
Americans for Safe Access held a webinar Monday with candidates for federal office, arguing the decision was not an administrative oversight but a deliberate action.
“I think it’s driven by our delegation and its continued attempt to undermine what the people want,” Sen. John Cavanaugh said.
Cannabis advocates specifically pointed at U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, a longtime opponent of medical marijuana. In a statement to KETV, Ricketts said he is concerned about cannabis use.
“I respect the will of Nebraskans and the process of the ballot amendments,” Ricketts said. “If Nebraska’s laws are at odds with federal laws, a process will have to play out, and I will continue to express my concern for the risks of marijuana if it gets into the hands of kids.”
Dan Osborn, an independent running against Ricketts, criticized the senator’s approach during the Monday webinar.
“Nobody should have to choose between their rights and their health,” Osborn said. “And federal prohibition is also blocking the research that this medicine deserves.”
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon said on Monday it was his first time hearing of the issue.
“I have not interfered,” Bacon said in a statement. “Regardless, I am for states having the lead when it comes to cannabis policies and prefer the federal government stay away.”
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana has started a series of statewide listening sessions to address barriers to access and growing concerns among patients.
“I never thought that I would have to go and travel the state again after this passing by 71% and talk to people about what is going wrong,” Eggers said.
