According to an Omaha World-Herald report, Nebraska state senator Wayne Justin has launched a reform that puts a constitutional amendment to decriminalize marijuana to voters come 2022. Prior legislative efforts to authorize medical cannabis in the state have been futile.
Justin’s reform will be opposed by multiple Republican legislators, Governor Ricketts Pete and the state Attorney General Peterson Doug. However, senator Morfeld Adam (a democrat who has sponsored past marijuana-related initiatives) said a discussion on authorization would enlighten legislators and the public about the regulations.
Last month, the Democratic state senator Amy Wishart said she’s conducting ballot language efforts for complete recreational legalization. However, she hasn’t launched the measure yet.
In late 2020, Nebraskans for Medicinal Marijuana unveiled a medical MJ bill to table the issue to voters next year. The petition’s language states that the Nebraskan folks shall be authorized to use all forms of cannabis for medical purposes. During September, Nebraska’s Supreme Court declined the group’s 2020 measure stating that it infringed the single-issue principle attached to voter measures.
The case was tabled in court on behalf of Terry Wagner, Lancaster County Sheriff.
According to a Lincoln Journal-Star report, Nebraska’s highest court concluded that the query and multiple other provisions featured in the proposal didn’t have the natural and necessary connection with one another. It had eight issues.
The reform’s objective was to come up with a constitutional right for the severely ill folks to produce and use medical marijuana with a prescription from an authorized nurse practitioner or physician.
Wayne’s reform may appear in ballots as a legal amendment to authorize marijuana for 21 and older adults and prompt lawmakers to enforce regulations related to cannabis.
Wayne disclosed to World-Herald that he believes voters would accent the policy changes if given a chance.
He added that there’s no reason to allow the petition to call for a referendum on midterm ballots.
