LINCOLN- Despite eight years of setbacks, proponents of medical cannabis are again attempting to pass a bill to legalize the medicinal product in Nebraska. On Tuesday, Senator Anna Wishart introduced LB588, the "Medical Cannabis Act," which according to the Senator is "one of the most conservative medical cannabis bills in the nation." Thirty-seven states, including Missouri and Colorado, have legalized can medical marijuana.

LB588 is very similar to a bill introduced in 2021, which came just two votes short of overcoming the filibuster. Crista Eggers, a spokesperson for Nebraska Families for Medical Cannabis, said the bill would prohibit the smoking of marijuana as medicine and home growing of the plant, and that the list of maladies treatable by the drug was narrowed. "Hopefully, with a new administration and a new governor, we can have a conversation," said Eggers.

Newly-elected Gov. Pillen seems to have a similar stance on the drug as his predecessor, former Gov. Pete Ricketts, and is expected to vehemently oppose any legislation seeking to legalize the product. Eggers added that if LB588 fails to pass, advocates will once again come together to launch a petition drive and seek voter approval.

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