LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — “This is a dangerous drug that will impact our kids. If you legalize marijuana, you’re gonna kill your kids. That’s what the data shows from around the country.”

Those are the words of then-Gov. Pete Ricketts before a 2021 legislative hearing to legalize medical cannabis in Nebraska.

For decades, cannabis has been stigmatized in the United States. The drug was effectively outlawed in the 1937 under the federal “Marihuana Tax Act.” Notice the spelling of marijuana.

Cannabis was popularized in the united states following the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Migrants fleeing north brought the substance with them, creating fear and paranoia among citizens.

The 1936 film “Reefer Madness” helped seal the deal — creating the impression that cannabis drives people to violence and addiction.

Dr. Ally Dering-Anderson with UNMC, one of the two professors teaching medical cannabis applications in Nebraska, says the prohibition has put our understanding of the drug on hold.

“And there were arguments about a lot of things,” Dr. Dering-Anderson said. “Some of them were, sadly, very racially based, some of them were lack of understanding, some of them were, ‘I simply want to get my name in the paper.’ All of those things, and we stopped being medical.”

In the decades that followed, attitudes toward cannabis eased, and it would eventually be decriminalized in Nebraska — meaning simple possession only lands you with a fine.

But lawmakers have been vigilant since Colorado legalized recreational use in 2012 — Missouri following suit in 2022.

Polling from Pew Research and Gallup show support for legalizing recreation cannabis is growing in the united states, and some lawmakers are concerned medical legalization is putting us on track for full legalization.

“I believe this puts us one step closer to what some of the other states around us have. Colorado, Missouri, and several states now have moved that direction,” Sen. Dan Lonowski said. “To me, moving toward recreational marijuana — I have fear that is not healthy for our society.”

Sen. Lonowski, a retired teacher and National Guardsman, rallied against LB677 in 2025’s legislative session— a law to help the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission regulate the drug.

While there was some support, others worried the bill leaned too closely to recreational use. A particular issue was the possession of flower for smoking.

“I think the people did not vote for recreational marijuana. And that’s what it is. That’s what I think,” Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers told reporters in a press conference. “Is there a peer-reviewed study that you’re aware of that actually supports the medicinal use of smoking marijuana? I’m not aware of one.”

Hilgers also feared the bill would make room for black markets and argued that the people voted for the Nebraska Medical cannabis commission to set the regulations for the drug — not lawmakers.

During debate, former middle school teacher and now state senator Jared Storm, said LB677 wasn’t in line with what people voted for.

“We even passed an initiative to regulate medical marijuana, and that is through an appointed commission,” Sen. Storm argued.” Not through the legislature. 677 is not the will of the people. Period.”

Sen. Storm lead the opposition against LB677. He declined and interview with 10/11 News.

The bill failed, giving the commission full control of regulation.

And that is what the people technically voted for — legalizing the possession medical cannabis and allowing the commission to regulate it.

“My point was simple, the people of Nebraska spoke,” Gov. Jim Pillen said in an interview with 10/11 News. “It’s a 65-70 percent for wanting medical marijuana.”

Gov. Pillen, who will now appoint the entire medical cannabis commission following the dissolution of the liquor commission, says medical cannabis will be available to Nebraskans in need without opening the door to recreational use.

The definitions of medical and recreational marijuana, however, continue to be a point of contention for state leaders.

At its meeting Monday, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission moved to discuss further licensure for manufacturers and distributers — in January.

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