Nebraska advocates for medical marijuana say the federal reclassification of cannabis removes a key argument used to delay legislative efforts, but access won’t immediately change in the state.
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana issued a statement Thursday after President Donald Trump’s acting attorney general signed an order reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, acknowledging accepted medical use.
“For years, opponents of medical cannabis have hidden behind the federal classification to justify delay,” NMM said in a statement. “That excuse is now gone.”
Possession of up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis for patients and their caregivers with a health care practitioner’s recommendation was approved by 71% of Nebraska voters on the November 2024 general election ballot. A companion initiative to create the Medical Cannabis Commission passed with 67% approval.
However, to date, zero patients in Nebraska have received a medical cannabis recommendation for treatment—despite being legal for nearly 18 months.
Speaking with KLIN News, NMM Executive Director Crista Eggers called the change a “long overdue” recognition of cannabis as medicine, but said it has little immediate impact for Nebraska patients.
“It doesn’t change anything for Nebraska today,” Eggers said. “Patients are still sitting at home waiting and suffering.”
She argued that other states moved forward with medical cannabis programs even while marijuana remained a Schedule I drug, and said the federal shift removes one justification for inaction.
Despite that, Eggers said advocates plan to continue pushing for implementation of a medical cannabis system in Nebraska. State officials, including Gov. Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers, have previously raised concerns about cannabis policy.
Eggers said the federal move is a “small victory” for patients, but said meaningful change in Nebraska will depend on action at the state level.