Nebraska Senator to Introduce Medical Cannabis Bill

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]S[/dropcap]en. Anna Wishart of Nebraska announced that she will introduce a medical cannabis bill in early 2019 that would amend the state’s constitution. It will be the fourth time a cannabis bill will be introduced in the state, after earlier attempts were eliminated through filibusters.

A fairly recent poll indicated that 77 percent of Nebraska voters said they would support legalizing medical cannabis via a constitutional amendment. More interestingly, was the fact that six out of ten respondents identify as Republicans, with many respondents hailing from rural areas of the state.

Wishart said she believes that the time is right for medical cannabis in Nebraska. “If a ballot initiative is brought in Nebraska, there is no doubt in my mind it will pass,” Wishart said, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

The time could be right, given the fact that lawmakers like Sen. Matt Williams, a previous foe of medical cannabis, are now supportive of new efforts to legalize the plant legislatively.

Lawmakers in the state are generally worried about legalizing medical cannabis through a ballot measure, which could mean a more lenient approach. The slippery slope towards recreational cannabis is something they want to avoid.

Other improvements on medical cannabis are happening in Nebraska, which could sway lawmakers’ decision regarding the plant. The University of Nebraska Medical Center  (UNMC) recently reported positive results from a recent two year clinical trial on the efficacy on CBD on people suffering from seizures. Already, Gov. Pete Rickets, another medical cannabis foe, surprisingly said that he was “encouraged” by the UNMC study.

Four other states—Utah, Missouri, Michigan and North Dakota—will all likely vote on cannabis-related bills this November. Bands like 311, who call Nebraska home, have called for the end to absurd cannabis laws in the area. With 31 states plus the District of Columbia now allowing medical cannabis, many would say that it’s time for Nebraska to catch up.