Nebraska’s Medical Marijuana Program: The Latest Developments in 2025

Christopher D.
Jun 6
5 min read

In a historic show of support last November, Nebraskans voted decisively to legalize and regulate medical marijuana. With over 70% of voters backing the legalization initiative and nearly 68% supporting a regulatory framework, the message was clear: Nebraskans want access to safe, physician-approved marijuana treatments. However, despite this overwhelming support, patients are still awaiting the program's launch.

While the law is officially in place, Nebraska’s medical marijuana system is still in development. Medical marijuana cards are not yet available, dispensaries are not open, and patients cannot legally obtain treatment through the program. However, recent developments indicate meaningful progress is underway, and the state is working toward a full rollout.

Implementation Is Moving Forward, But Slowly

Following the successful ballot initiatives, Nebraska lawmakers have been tasked with building the infrastructure to support a safe and accessible medical marijuana program. A key milestone was reached when the Nebraska Legislature confirmed appointments to the newly created Nebraska Cannabis Commission, the agency responsible for overseeing the state’s program. This commission will develop regulations for product standards, physician certifications, dispensary licensing, and patient access.

Although the confirmation of commission members was met with some opposition, particularly from families of patients concerned about access, the appointments signal that the program is beginning to take shape behind the scenes. The finalized commission now has the authority to move forward with creating the rules necessary for a full-scale launch.

Still, no exact date has been set for when patients will be able to apply for medical marijuana cards. State health officials have stated that the program could launch by late 2025 or early 2026, depending on how swiftly the Commission establishes operational guidelines.

How Nebraska Voters Made It Happen

The path to legalization in Nebraska has been long and contentious. Lawmakers repeatedly blocked legislative attempts to legalize marijuana, leaving citizens to take matters into their own hands. In 2024, a well-organized grassroots campaign gathered enough signatures to put two complementary initiatives on the ballot:

One initiative legalized medical marijuana use for patients with qualifying conditions
The second created a regulatory framework to govern cultivation, distribution, physician recommendations, and dispensary licensing

Both measures passed with strong bipartisan support from voters, even as some state lawmakers and officials voiced opposition. The results signaled a clear shift in public opinion and demonstrated that medical marijuana has widespread support across Nebraska, regardless of political affiliation.

What the Medical Marijuana Program Will Look Like

Although the program is still being finalized, we do know a few key details based on the language of the passed measures and early planning efforts:

Qualifying Conditions: They have not come out with a set list yet, but based on neighboring states, patients will likely qualify based on conditions such as:
- Autism with frequent or severe self-injurious or aggressive behavior
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cancer
- Chronic or severe pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C (with nausea or cachexia)
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- PTSD
- Severe muscle spasms
- Spinal cord injury
- Tourette's syndrome
- Serious conditions causing severe nausea or cachexia
- Any terminal illness with a possible life expectancy of less than one year
- Long-lasting severe or chronic pain that hasn’t responded to other, non-opioid treatments
Licensed Physicians: Doctors will be required to complete a certification process to recommend medical marijuana - that’s where we will come in!
Card Registration: Patients and caregivers will need to apply for a state-issued medical marijuana card to legally possess and use marijuana.
Regulated Products: Only licensed dispensaries will be allowed to sell approved medical marijuana products. These may include tinctures, capsules, oils, creams, and tablets, but smokable marijuana and edibles could be restricted based on final regulatory decisions
Product Limits: Daily or monthly dosage caps may be implemented to ensure safe and controlled use

Until the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services finalizes the framework, these details remain subject to change, but the focus will be on safe, physician-guided treatment and product safety.

Ongoing Controversy: Delta-8, Hemp, and Legislative Bill 316

While Nebraska’s medical program is still in development, lawmakers have also aimed at unregulated hemp-derived products, specifically those containing Delta-8 THC and other synthetic cannabinoids. These products are currently sold in convenience stores and vape shops with little oversight, raising public health concerns.

Legislative Bill 316 (LB 316) was introduced earlier this year, seeking to redefine many of these hemp products as “marijuana” under Nebraska law. If passed, the bill would limit the sale of such products to state-licensed dispensaries once the medical program is active. Advocates of the bill argue that it protects consumers, especially minors, from potentially harmful or mislabeled products. However, business owners and patients relying on these alternatives have criticized the bill, saying it acts as a “de facto ban.”

Due to the backlash and broader regulatory uncertainty, lawmakers have delayed any final decision on LB 316. This pause allows regulators to focus on establishing the medical program before addressing broader hemp market restrictions. Nonetheless, the situation highlights the urgent need for a regulated system where patients can access lab-tested, physician-approved products rather than relying on unregulated alternatives.

What Nebraska Patients Should Do Now

Even though the program isn’t yet live, this is the perfect time for patients to start preparing. Begin by discussing your symptoms or condition with a trusted doctor and ask whether medical marijuana might be a beneficial treatment option. Gathering relevant medical records now can also help streamline the application process when registration opens.

It’s also important to stay up-to-date with announcements from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Cannabis Commission. These agencies will provide the official timeline for when and how patients can apply, what documentation will be needed, and where they’ll be able to access approved products.

In the meantime, avoid purchasing unregulated products or using marijuana illegally, as Nebraska law still prohibits unauthorized possession and use.

Get Ready for Medical Marijuana

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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!