Nebraska lawmakers confirm Gov. Jim Pillen’s two appointees to the new Medical Marijuana Commission.That’s a huge piece in allowing the board — which also includes the members of the Liquor Control Commission — to begin writing rules and regulations for the manufacturing, distribution and dispensing of medical marijuana. That’s the directive approved by voters.RELATED COVERAGE: Medical marijuana regulation bill fails in legislature, leaving new commission to clarify rulesSenators opposing the confirmation of Dr. Monica Oldenburg, a Lincoln anesthesiologist and Lorelle Mueting, the prevention director of Heartland Family Service in Omaha, point to their past opposition to medical marijuana. “We would not appoint someone who believes in prohibition to the liquor control commission. We would not appoint someone who works for PETA to the brand committee. Similarly, we should not appoint someone who denies the legitimacy of medical cannabis, the very body tasked with implementing its regulation,” state Sen. Ben Hansen said.Hansen’s Legislative Bill 677 failed to get first-round approval. It would put guardrails on the voter-approved Medical Cannabis Act.Now it is left up to the newly formed commission. “Appointing individuals who have demonstrated hostility toward medical cannabis risks marginalizing patients, stalling implementation and betraying the will of the people,” Hansen said.However, supporters of the nominees say both have years of service in their professions and are qualified.READ MORE: Gov. Jim Pillen appoints individuals to the Medical Cannabis Commission ahead of legislative debateState Sen. Rick Holdcroft, the chairman of the Legislature’s General Affairs Committee, said because of the way the ballot measures were written, it could open the state up to recreational marijuana.”The only limit in these two referendums is the Commission. So, having commissioners that are a little bit conservative on their views of medical marijuana, I don’t think is a bad thing at this stage of our program,” Holdcroft said.State Sen. Carolyn Bosn said even if lawmakers took no action or did not confirm the nominees, they would still be seated on the commission. She said the governor could just reappoint either of them, and lawmakers would not be able to act until next year.”The two individuals who are going to be presented to us today will still be on the commission during the July period of time where the ballot initiative goes into effect,” Bosn said.In a statement, Crista Eggers of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana said, “Yet again, the Nebraska Legislature has thrown a wrench in the will of 71% of Nebraska voters that supported medical cannabis access last November. By confirming both of Governor Pillen’s appointments, these state senators, who have preached about upholding the will of the voters as an excuse to vote against LB677, have now turned around and appointed two people that will slow-roll access for patients in this State.”We have been committed to patients from day one and will continue to be. The representatives in this state that have misrepresented and disrespected our mission will see their day where the people hold them accountable. Mark our words. The patients of this state may be weary, may be tired, but they stand strong and will hold lawmakers accountable for their votes. They have the blood of Nebraskans on their hands.”State Sen. John Cavanaugh maintains that the ballot measure only authorizes the commission to regulate manufacturing, distribution and sale. “This is not a board that is going to be empowered to make determinations about what ailments are going to be available for medical cannabis. It is not going to have the authority or power to regulate what types of delivery mechanism,” Cavanaugh said.”So, I am concerned when some says they bring a bias to that process that they are going to put into place less than reasonable regulations,” Cavanaugh said”So, the role of this is to facilitate, and it’s not to bring your bias to it,” Cavanaugh said.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |