MJBiz - September/October 2024 - 50

HIGH STAKES
V O T E
Nebraska Medical
Marijuana Regulation
Initiative
Nebraska legalization advocates
have tried to legalize cannabis
before-both by referendum and
through the state Legislature, only
to be derailed by technicalities.
But this most recent effort,
spearheaded by Nebraskans for
Medical Marijuana and its leader,
Crista Eggers, has advocates hopeful.
The campaign submitted 114,596
signatures to the secretary of
state on July 3. A secretary of state
spokesperson said in an Aug. 30
news release that the petition
likely would qualify for the ballot
but would not be certified until
county election offices verify 110% of
signatures submitted.
Mueller said employees from his
store in Rockport, Missouri, close to
the Nebraska border, crossed into
the state to help collect signatures.
" It's a much easier equation
when it's medical versus adult use.
I think that's step one. This is truly
a medical initiative, " Mueller said.
" We feel really good about them
getting on the ballot. "
If approved by voters, the
referendum would legalize
the possession, manufacture,
distribution, delivery and sale of
medical marijuana. The Nebraska
Medical Cannabis Regulation
initiative also would establish a
commission to regulate the industry.
Mueller expects Nebraska would
offer a very limited MMJ program.
" I wouldn't be surprised if it's a
limited SKU (stock-keeping unit)
count. They take all these baby
steps, and they start realizing that
it's not as scary as everybody used to
think, " Mueller said.
Photo by stock.adobe.com/adogslifephoto
He also doesn't expect politicians
to undermine medical legalization
if it happens. " If the will of the
people is heard in November, then I
think Nebraska is going to be good, "
Mueller said.
He added that success in
Nebraska eventually could extend
into neighboring Kansas, where
Mueller is talking with legalization
advocates.
" If you get Nebraska, then Kansas
is surrounded by legalized states
(including Colorado, Missouri and
Oklahoma). Hopefully, minimally,
you get decriminalization there.
We would love to see a very limited
medical program start up in Kansas.
It just adds a little more pressure, "
Mueller said.
Economic Frontier, would permit
up to seven licensed cultivators
and manufacturers, plus up to 18
retailers.
The program, which would
allow existing medical marijuana
businesses to add adult-use retail,
would be established no later than
Oct. 1, 2025.
The campaign has raised
$226,309.10 in contributions,
according to recent campaign
finance filings, and the donors all
are existing medical-marijuana
companies, according to records.
The top donor is Pure Dakota,
which operates dispensaries
in Bismarck and Fargo, with
$186,309.10 in cash and in-kind
contributions. Curaleaf Holdings'
local affiliate contributed $40,000.
Under the measure, individuals
North Dakota
Measure 5
North Dakota election officials on
Aug. 9 approved a recreational
marijuana legalization measure
to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. The
initiative, backed by the group New
could possess up to 1 ounce of
marijuana, 4 grams of concentrates
and 300 milligrams of edibles.
Individuals would be allowed to
grow three plants with a limit of six
plants per household.
The initiative was filed by Steve
Bakken, the Burleigh County
commissioner and former
Republican mayor of Bismarck.
50 September-October 2024 | MJBizMagazine
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MJBiz - September/October 2024

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