Nebraska Bill Will Implement the State’s Medical Marijuana Program

After years of public advocacy, ballot initiatives, and legislative gridlock, Nebraska is finally on the brink of launching its long-awaited medical marijuana program. In a landmark move, Legislative Bill 677, introduced by Senator Ben Hansen, advanced from committee, paving the way for regulated access to medical marijuana for thousands of patients statewide.

While the program’s exact launch date and operational details are still being finalized, the direction is clear; Nebraska is going medical, and it’s time to get ready.

A Turning Point for Medical Marijuana in Nebraska

LB 677 lays the groundwork for implementing the medical marijuana system that Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved at the ballot box. After narrowly failing in committee earlier this year, a revised version of the bill, with critical compromises, passed 5–3 out of the General Affairs Committee.

The bill would:

• Establish rules for qualifying patients and caregivers

• Allow the sale of up to 2 ounces of marijuana flower or bud per patient

• Limit marijuana consumption to non-smokable forms such as edibles, patches, vaporizers, and tinctures

• Define a specific list of qualifying medical conditions

• Create regulatory oversight through the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission

• Begin allocating funds and resources for state agencies to implement the law

LB 677 is Nebraska’s first real framework to ensure patients will soon have safe, legal access to marijuana for medical use.

What Medical Conditions Will Qualify?

The revised bill includes a limited list of qualifying conditions, developed in consultation with healthcare professionals and modeled after prior legislative efforts. Although we don't have the set list yet, these are some common conditions that are expected:

• Cancer

• Epilepsy

• ALS

• Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

• Multiple sclerosis

• Parkinson’s disease

• Autism with aggressive behavior

• Chronic pain lasting longer than six months

• Terminal illness with less than one year life expectancy

• Tourette’s syndrome

• HIV/AIDS

• Huntington’s disease

• Severe muscle spasms or cachexia

• Hepatitis C with moderate to severe symptoms

• Spinal cord injuries causing neurological deficits

What Forms of Marijuana Will Be Allowed?

Nebraska’s medical marijuana program will prohibit smoking but allow several alternative forms, including:

• Edibles

• Tinctures

• Transdermal patches

• Vaporizer cartridges or pens

• Topical creams or ointments

• Nebulizers

• Concentrates

By limiting the forms of marijuana available, lawmakers hope to strike a balance between patient access and public health concerns, while still honoring the will of voters.

Why You Should Start Preparing for a Medical Marijuana Card Now

Even though medical marijuana sales haven’t officially started in Nebraska, residents who qualify should begin preparing now. Once Legislative Bill 677 is fully enacted, a medical marijuana card will be the only legal way to access marijuana in the state. Recreational marijuana remains illegal, and without a valid medical marijuana card individuals risk legal consequences.

Holding a medical marijuana card will also provide essential legal protection. Patients who are certified through the state’s program will be able to legally possess approved forms of marijuana, purchase products from licensed dispensaries, and receive guidance from trained professionals. This is a major step forward from the current legal gray area that many Nebraska patients and families have had to navigate.

Beyond legality, the program will ensure safe, lab-tested products from regulated sources. Marijuana sold through Nebraska’s medical system will be clearly labeled for potency and cannabinoid content, offering patients the confidence that they’re using consistent and clean products. This stands in stark contrast to the black market, where untested marijuana can pose serious health risks due to contamination or inaccurate dosing.

Finally, while LB 677 marks significant progress, it will take time to implement the full medical marijuana infrastructure. Licensing dispensaries, setting up the Medical Cannabis Commission, and training personnel are complex tasks. That’s why Nebraskans who may qualify should act now, by speaking to a healthcare provider, gathering medical documentation, and staying informed. Getting an early start ensures you’ll be among the first to access legal, regulated medical marijuana when the program officially launches.

Community Engagement Is Crucial

Public forums hosted by Senators Hansen, Cavanaugh, and Holdcroft are underway in cities like Omaha, Lincoln, and La Vista. These town halls give Nebraskans a voice in shaping how the program rolls out, and demonstrate to lawmakers that medical marijuana is more than a political issue: it’s a public health necessity.

As Crista Eggers, director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, put it: “This was never just about politics, it’s about people, about families, about children. Today shows that all the setbacks, the court battles, the campaigns, none of it was for nothing.”

The Path Forward

With Nebraska’s legislative session nearing its end, lawmakers have until June 2 to pass LB 677 and move it one step closer to becoming law. The debate will likely be intense, but supporters remain optimistic that Nebraska will soon join the majority of states with legalized medical marijuana programs. If successful, the bill will establish a safe, regulated system that offers patients the relief they deserve, while finally honoring the will of the voters who have pushed for change over the past decade.

Still, the program won’t launch automatically and patients need to be ready. If you or a loved one has a qualifying medical condition, now is the time to act. Start by talking to a doctor about your symptoms, staying up to date on the state’s registration process, and preparing your medical documentation. The opportunity to legally access medical marijuana in Nebraska is closer than ever, get ready now, so you’re first in line when it does.

Get Ready for Medical Marijuana

We're excited to help you get approved for medical marijuana as soon as Nebraska rolls out the medical marijuana program. It shouldn't be much longer! 

Our telemedicine appointments provide an easy and convenient way for you to meet with our doctors and receive a medical marijuana recommendation, all from the comfort of your own home! 

Don’t delay! Reserve an evaluation online today with one of our knowledgeable, compassionate marijuana doctors! We’ll set up an appointment for you just as soon as Nebraska's medical marijuana market is up and running. You’ll even save $25 off the cost of the evaluation when you reserve your appointment today! 

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Doctors Who Care.

Relief You Can Trust.

Helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.

If you have any questions, call us at (833) 781-6665, or simply reserve a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!