Nebraska
Nebraska’s Medical Cannabis Commission steps ahead with new funding, faces criticism for pace
Nebraska’s medical cannabis commission continued to face emotional testimony from patients and advocates frustrated with what they describe as a slow and restrictive rollout of the state’s program on Monday. “The question is, is your empathy real? Do you even care?” said Tiffany Tex Gustafson, a medical cannabis advocate.Patients and industry representatives argued that the four-member commission has not moved quickly enough to meet demand. Troy Burgess, a cannabis cultivator, urged officials to accelerate their work.“I implore you because of the patients behind me, let’s move the ball forward,” Burgess said. “I feel like we’re delayed or stalled.”The commission has taken steps to build out the program. It has launched a website, begun hiring staff and is preparing to expand operations after lawmakers approved legislation providing funding and fee-setting authority.Commission Chair Lorelle Mueting said the agency recently hired an administrative specialist, who is expected to begin work April 20.The commission is seeking changes to its legal representation, which is currently handled by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who has been critical of medical cannabis.”This motion is in no way to be considered a negative reflection on the legal services and provided to the commission so far by the Attorney General’s office,” Commissioner J. Michael Coffey said. “My problem is, I think we’re subject to the appearances and impropriety and the appearances of conflict.”The commission has also awarded four licenses to cannabis cultivators, with planting expected to begin in the coming weeks.Still, several key components of the program remain unfinished. The commission has yet to establish licensing processes for manufacturers and retailers.And since no health care practitioners are recommending marijuana yet, there are technically no patients in the state. Lawmakers recently declined to pass protections for health care providers who recommend cannabis, and current commission rules do not allow recommendations from out-of-state practitioners.Lawmakers and cannabis advocates alike have questioned the legality of that rule, but it has not been challenged in court yet.As a result, it is unclear when patients in Nebraska will be able to access the program.“When will this program actually be accessible to the people who need it?” said Crista Eggers of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana. “In the last six months, this commission has awarded just four licenses at that pace, with approximately 18 more individual licenses that could be given out; we could be two years in the future before this program actually can start.”Mueting said she expects the recommendation process to be in place once the program is finalized later this year and said she didn’t have a comment on further action the commission would take to ensure practitioners feel legally safe recommending medical cannabis.”We’re not in that position yet,” Mueting said. “If we get everything up and running and nobody’s coming in the doors, then do we need to look at what’s going on? Probably. There’s absolutely nobody on this commission that wants this to fail.”
Nebraska’s medical cannabis commission continued to face emotional testimony from patients and advocates frustrated with what they describe as a slow and restrictive rollout of the state’s program on Monday.
“The question is, is your empathy real? Do you even care?” said Tiffany Tex Gustafson, a medical cannabis advocate.
Patients and industry representatives argued that the four-member commission has not moved quickly enough to meet demand. Troy Burgess, a cannabis cultivator, urged officials to accelerate their work.
“I implore you because of the patients behind me, let’s move the ball forward,” Burgess said. “I feel like we’re delayed or stalled.”
The commission has taken steps to build out the program. It has launched a website, begun hiring staff and is preparing to expand operations after lawmakers approved legislation providing funding and fee-setting authority.
Commission Chair Lorelle Mueting said the agency recently hired an administrative specialist, who is expected to begin work April 20.
The commission is seeking changes to its legal representation, which is currently handled by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, who has been critical of medical cannabis.
“This motion is in no way to be considered a negative reflection on the legal services and provided to the commission so far by the Attorney General’s office,” Commissioner J. Michael Coffey said. “My problem is, I think we’re subject to the appearances and impropriety and the appearances of conflict.”
The commission has also awarded four licenses to cannabis cultivators, with planting expected to begin in the coming weeks.
Still, several key components of the program remain unfinished. The commission has yet to establish licensing processes for manufacturers and retailers.
And since no health care practitioners are recommending marijuana yet, there are technically no patients in the state. Lawmakers recently declined to pass protections for health care providers who recommend cannabis, and current commission rules do not allow recommendations from out-of-state practitioners.
Lawmakers and cannabis advocates alike have questioned the legality of that rule, but it has not been challenged in court yet.
As a result, it is unclear when patients in Nebraska will be able to access the program.
“When will this program actually be accessible to the people who need it?” said Crista Eggers of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana. “In the last six months, this commission has awarded just four licenses at that pace, with approximately 18 more individual licenses that could be given out; we could be two years in the future before this program actually can start.”
Mueting said she expects the recommendation process to be in place once the program is finalized later this year and said she didn’t have a comment on further action the commission would take to ensure practitioners feel legally safe recommending medical cannabis.
“We’re not in that position yet,” Mueting said. “If we get everything up and running and nobody’s coming in the doors, then do we need to look at what’s going on? Probably. There’s absolutely nobody on this commission that wants this to fail.”
LINCOLN, NEB — Nebraska will be featured on a national stage later this month as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
Gov. Jim Pillen joined business and community leaders Monday to preview the state’s participation in the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.
The event runs June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall and will showcase exhibits from states and territories as part of the America 250 celebration.
Nebraska’s pavilion will highlight the state’s industries, history and culture, with participation from organizations including Union Pacific, Werner Enterprises, Tenaska, Valley Irrigation, Boys Town, Nebraska Public Power District, the Nebraska State Fair and History Nebraska.
“We’re really, really excited to partner with the businesses and organizations that are supporting Nebraska’s pavilion,” Pillen said. “We’re going to do a ton of bragging about Nebraska’s culture and traditions, our businesses, innovations and ideas.”
Union Pacific, founded in 1862, will be a centerpiece exhibit, highlighting its role in building the transcontinental railroad, completed in 1869 with the Golden Spike in Promontory, Utah.
Today, the Omaha-based railroad operates a freight network spanning 23 states.
“At our Nebraska pavilion, we’re going to give people the opportunity to be an engineer for a day,” said Eric Gehringer, executive vice president at Union Pacific. “We’re going to have a simulator there so both children and adults can see what it takes to help build America.”
Other exhibits will feature agriculture technology from Valley Irrigation, Nebraska’s public power system, Boys Town, the Nebraska State Fair and History Nebraska.
History Nebraska will highlight the 1879 Standing Bear court decision in Omaha, which recognized Native Americans as persons under U.S. law, along with the origins of Arbor Day in Nebraska.
“I want people to come away with a very, very clear picture of what’s made Nebraska who we are,” Pillen said.
Following the announcement, Pillen also updated the wildfire in the Nebraska Panhandle, saying it has burned about 35,000 acres and is roughly 10% contained. Nebraska National Guard aircraft and firefighters are assisting with suppression efforts near Fort Robinson.
The Great American State Fair opens June 25 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
MILFORD, Neb. (KTIV) – A traffic stop that led to the arrest of a man after finding over 500 pounds of cocaine received help from a furry friend.
At approximately 10:25 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol saw an eastbound Rouge following a semi too closely near Milford. During the traffic stop, an NSP K9 detected an odor of cocaine coming from the vehicle.
The origin of the furry hero is linked to a Northeast Nebraska organization.
The NSP K9 that detected the cocaine is called Gable. Gable is a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois who has been with the NSP since 2020.
Gable was purchased by the NSP after a donation from the Friends of Baron Companion Animal Foundation. A foundation in West Point, Nebraska, located in Cuming County.
“A great example of a local organization from West Point making a difference for the whole state!” stated NSP in an email to KTIV.
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A legendary Nebraska football coach has passed away. George Darlington died in Lincoln on Sunday morning at the age of 87.
Darlington coached at Nebraska for 30 seasons from 1973 to 2002. He coached defensive ends for the first 13 seasons of his tenure before becoming defensive backs coach in 1986.
During his tenure, Nebraska went 304-65-3, won 14 conference titles, and three national championships. The Huskers also played in a bowl game in each of Darlington’s 30 seasons
After his time at Nebraska ended, he served as an assistant coach at Marshall, Louisiana Tech, Southeast Missouri State and San Diego. He officially retired from coaching in 2010.
Following his retirement, Darlington remained around Husker football. He was a regular observer at football practices and could always be found in the Memorial Stadium press box on game days.
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