Nebraska Passes First Medical Cannabis Law After Decade-Long Delay

New legislation gives regulatory commission authority to set fees and raise revenue for the state's medical marijuana program.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:20pm

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The Nebraska Legislature has approved the state's first-ever bill related to a medical cannabis program, marking a significant milestone after years of delays. The new law, LB 1235, gives the voter-created Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission the ability to set fees and raise revenue to get the medical marijuana program up and running. The legislation also includes provisions for background checks, commissioner salaries, and a dedicated state cash fund.

Why it matters

Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis legalization in 2024, but the state has faced challenges in implementing the program. This new law is a crucial first step towards getting medical marijuana to patients who need it, after over a decade of delays by the legislature.

The details

LB 1235 passed the legislature with a 46-2 vote. The bill was introduced on behalf of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, although the commission did not formally support or oppose it. The legislation initially sought to expand the commission's authority over patients, caregivers, and medical providers, but those provisions were removed. The law includes four main components: requiring background checks for medical cannabis establishment license applicants, paying commissioners a $12,500 salary, creating a dedicated state cash fund, and authorizing the commission to set application fees up to $50,000.

  • In the 2024 election, 67% of Nebraska voters passed a ballot measure creating the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission.
  • Also in 2024, 71% of Nebraska voters legalized possession of up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis for patients and caregivers.
  • LB 1235 was passed by the Nebraska Legislature on April 2, 2026.

The players

Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission

The voter-created regulatory commission tasked with overseeing Nebraska's medical cannabis program.

Crista Eggers

Executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, an advocacy group that supported the 2024 ballot measures.

John Cavanaugh

Nebraska state senator who introduced LB 933 to protect healthcare practitioners who recommend medical cannabis.

Lorelle Mueting

Medical Cannabis Commissioner from Gretna, Nebraska, and interim commission chair.

J. Michael Coffey

Retired district judge and Medical Cannabis Commissioner from Omaha, Nebraska.

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What they’re saying

“Still so much that has to be done to turn this into a program patients can actually access. And until we see that day, we cannot call it success.”

— Crista Eggers, Executive Director, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana

“Delays were not intentional but 'more or less a practical hurdle we had to get over,' in part because of limitations on ballot measure campaigns.”

— J. Michael Coffey, Retired District Judge, Medical Cannabis Commissioner

What’s next

The Nebraska Legislature still needs to pass LB 933 to protect healthcare practitioners who recommend medical cannabis, which is seen as crucial for the program to function. LB 933 advanced through first-round debate on March 20, 2026 and needs to pass two more rounds by April 17 to become law.

The takeaway

After over a decade of delays, Nebraska has finally taken a significant step forward in establishing a medical cannabis program. However, there is still more work to be done to ensure patients can actually access the medicine, including passing additional legislation to protect healthcare providers. This hard-fought victory demonstrates the persistence of medical marijuana advocates in the state.