A day after Nebraska lawmakers rejected a bill to regulate medical marijuana, many are wondering what happens next. It was State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, a Republican, who sponsored the regulation bill, LB677, which his colleagues rejected on Tuesday.
The fate of medical marijuana is in question, especially since Gov. Jim Pillen appointed two people to a commission to regulate it who have repeatedly shared their opposition to even the idea of the drug. Lorelle Mueting and Monica Oldenburg are Pillen's appointees. This year, Mueting testified in opposition to Hansen's regulation bill, saying his bill was not restrictive enough.
Two years ago, she testified in front of senators saying in part: "I'm here on behalf of myself today. And I just want to offer you a perspective from a Nebraska citizen who is not in favor of medical marijuana."
In 2021, Pillen's second appointee, Monica Oldenberg, testified before senators about medical marijuana. "The cost to society is tremendous," said Oldenberg. "Are we willing to sacrifice our teens? Will we put profits over people? I hope Nebraska can resist this detrimental influence and continue to be the good- sober-life."
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