LINCOLN — When Nebraska voters legalized medical cannabis last year, they set Oct. 1, 2025 as the date that the state must start approving licenses for businesses to participate in the system.
That’s not going to happen.
The commission met Tuesday ahead of that deadline, but because of the recent resignation of two members of the five-member board, the remaining commissioners had not fully reviewed the applications. Chair Monica Oldenburg said there were 39 applications for cultivator licenses — the commission decided earlier this month it will approve only four.
October will be a pivotal month for the trajectory of Nebraska’s medical cannabis program.
The remaining commissioners will meet Tuesday to approve cultivator applications. The applications have already been put through a lottery, and commissioners will each grade them to determine which will be selected.
Then the commission will have a public hearing Oct. 15 about proposed permanent regulations for medical cannabis.
Finally, through Oct. 17, Gov. Jim Pillen is also accepting applications for two open positions on the Liquor Control Commission, and those individuals will automatically serve on the Medical Cannabis Commission.
The commission’s rules have received nearly universal criticism from meeting attendees, who have called the rules too restrictive and in violation of what 71% of voters supported.
Limitations include the number of cultivator licenses and the number of plants they can grow. The rules also bar edibles, smoking, vaping, and possession of cannabis flower — the ballot initiative specifically doesn’t limit delivery methods or possession of any part of the plant.
Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission delays licensing marijuana growers
