Medical marijuana advocates criticize restrictions on cannabis access at hearing

Some said the ban on marijuana flower is blatantly unlawful, given the ballot initiative’s language legalizing of marijuana for medical purposes.

“The people wanted to be able to possess cannabis for medical purposes up to five ounces, including flower and plant,” said State Sen. John Cavanaugh. “This commission has no authority to go against the law for what the people voted for.”

Cavanaugh, who is running for Congress in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, wasn’t the only political candidate to attend the hearing.

Dan Osborn (U.S. Senate), Patty Pansing Brooks (State Legislature, LD28), Cindy Maxwell-Ostdiek (LD4), Nate Ostdiek (LD6) and Christy Knorr (LD12) were also present.

One group of people were notably absent – the three Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission members themselves.

The commission is required to review the comments made at the hearing and provide written responses. The commissioners are not required to attend the hearing itself, though their physical absence drew ire from many testifiers.

Dominic Gillen, who said he’s been advocating for medical cannabis access on behalf of his son for 12 years, said Wednesday’s hearing is the final straw for anyone holding onto hope in the process.

“What we’re witnessing today is not integrity, it’s deceit and an abandonment of responsibilities to the principle of election integrity,” he said. “The commissioners should be here actively listening, recognizing that they still have the power to make changes.”

The proposed regulations still need the approval of Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Gov. Jim Pillen before they can be filed with the Secretary of State, but legal challenges remain on the horizon.

The next meeting of the Medical Cannabis Commission is Nov. 3 at 1 p.m.

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