LINCOLN, Neb. — Thirteen years ago, Dominic and Shelley Gillen began their fight for medical cannabis access in Nebraska, driven by their son Will’s severe epilepsy. Despite setbacks in 2020 and 2022, Ballot Initiatives 437 and 438 passed in November 2024, allowing for medical cannabis. However, former State Sen. John Kuehn filed a lawsuit in December 2024, claiming the ballots violated federal law.

In April 2025, Sen. Ben Hansen introduced LB677 to clarify regulations and fund the commission, but it failed to advance. The Nebraska Cannabis Commission’s emergency drafts in June 2025 frustrated residents by limiting dispensaries and banning the use of plants, despite 71% voter support for broader access.

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska established its own cannabis commission in July 2025. By September, the state limited cultivators to 10,000 plants annually, allowing treatment for only 20,000 residents. Despite an October 1 deadline, only two cultivators were selected by October 7.

Nebraskans rallied on October 15 against emergency rules. The Omaha Tribe held its first commission meeting on October 27, allowing cannabis purchases on reservations. Sen. Cavanaugh expressed concerns on October 31 about regulations conflicting with statutes.

Gov. Pillen and Hilgers discouraged purchasing cannabis on tribal lands. On December 2, two more cultivators were denied, and the Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments on Kuehn’s appeal regarding petition signatures.

In January 2026, another cultivator was approved, and the Omaha Tribe introduced legislation to aid tobacco negotiations. Sen. Cavanaugh proposed bills to elect the cannabis commission and protect medical professionals recommending cannabis. The legislative session continues to address these issues.