StaffSeptember 11, 2020
The Marijuana Policy Project announced that the Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that the medical marijuana ballot initiative supported by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana will not appear on the November 2020 ballot. The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by opponents arguing that the measure violated the state’s single-subject rules.
The state isn’t considered a very large market as compared to other states. It was projected to have sales of roughly $30 million by 2024 by Canaccord analyst Bobby Burleson. Nebraska currently has 79 hemp farming licenses with 1,675 outdoor acres permitted for farming and 465,807 square feet of approved greenhouse space.
Matthew Schweich, deputy director of the Marijuana Policy Project said, “This is an outrageous and deeply flawed decision by a group of activist judges. This ruling means that sick and suffering medical marijuana patients, including veterans, will continue to be criminals in Nebraska when they try to live healthier lives. This ruling tramples on the constitutional rights of over 190,000 Nebraskans who signed the petition and deprives the voters of Nebraska of their opportunity to decide this issue at the ballot box.” MPP has worked on the campaign since its inception and was instrumental in getting the signatures.
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana submitted over 190,000 signatures in support of the amendment in July. The Court’s decision overturns Secretary of State Bob Evnen’s decision to certify the initiative after a similar legal challenge was submitted by opponents in August.
We just heard and the news is not good. Like all of you, we are absolutely devastated by the Supreme Court ruling. But this fight is not over. Nothing changes the fact that an overwhelming majority of Nebraskans stand with the patients and families who deserve compassion and safe access to medical cannabis. We will be regrouping and updating you all soon with plans for our next steps.
Schweich added, “Our opponents are cowards. They use insider political tactics because they cannot win this debate. Medical marijuana will be legal in Nebraska one day. We lost this battle but we will undoubtedly win the war. We’ll be back.”
