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.”
A Nebraska quarterback commit is making headlines heading into his senior season. Five-star prospect Trae Taylor has been named by Rivals as one of the ‘five high school football transfers that will make a big impact this 2026 season.’
Taylor heads into 2026 after a strong 2025 season at Carmel Catholic (IL). In 11 games, he threw 3,571 yards, 38 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also ran 77 times for 633 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The five-star quarterback is transferring to Millard South (NE) this offseason and will join a team that went 12-1 this past season and won back-to-back Class A State championships. He is taking over as the starting quarterback, replacing Jett Thomalla, who signed with Alabama.
Rivals Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes that the transfer quarterback is well-rounded and one of the stronger arms in the 2027 cycle. He also believes that the development he has shown this late in his career should be seen as a positive.
“Brings a combination of high-end arm talent and refinement to the table. Has a whippy release that uncoils quickly to generate fast arm action. Added arm strength in the off-season prior to his senior year. Can drive the football to all areas of the field with palpable zip. Rips throws out to the far hash and up the seam. Throws a tight spiral that cuts through the wind. Has proven to be accurate in multiple settings. Hyper-trained and plays with a good level of consistency as a passer.”
Taylor is also the first Cornhusker commit to ever hold the title of Elite 11 MVP. He was named the Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of The Opening Finals at Nike’s World Headquarters last month.
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College football programs would rather not play true freshmen. Programs would rather give the kids a year to mature, get reps and get stronger. Learn behind experienced players, learn the system, grow mentally and physically. Make inevitable mistakes on the practice field, not in games.
Nebraska is no exception.
But Huskers true freshman running back Jamal Rule might be an exception.
Rule, one of the stars of Nebraska’s spring game, recently was cited by CBS Sports as one of 11 Big Ten true freshmen to watch who could have an immediate impact in 2026.
There is buzz around the Nebraska program regarding Rule, a 6-foot, 205-pound, three-star recruit from Charlotte, N.C. In the spring game, Rule scored on a 75-yard touchdown sprint and had 119 yards on 10 carries. He also caught a pass for 15 yards.
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule certainly has noticed. The early enrollee has them talking around the Huskers’ program and around Lincoln, too.
What Rhule said about Rule
“Jamal had a really good spring,” Rhule told reporters after the spring game. “What he looked like today, he looked like all spring long. He’s very conscientious. He’s big, he’s tough, he’s fast, he’s got home run ability.”
Rule comes along at an opportune time for himself and Nebraska, which lost 2025 Big Ten Running Back of the Year Emmett Johnson to NFL Draft and the Kansas City Chiefs. Without Johnson, who gained a conference-leading 1,451 yards on the ground last season, the Huskers’ running back room was a serious question mark coming into the season.
Now, Nebraska is dealing with the arrest of presumed starting running back Mekhi Nelson in Key West, Fla. Nelson was arrested last week, charged with aggravated battery, as first reported by Pete Nakos, of On3.
Nelson’s legal ramifications are unknown as well as how this will affect his football status.
What CBS Sports said about Jamal Rule
CBS Sports writer Brad Crawford wrote this about Rule in selecting him as a Big Ten freshman to watch: “Some would say he was overlooked a bit by the elite programs during the recruiting process, but this three-star out of Charlotte, North Carolina, was identified early as a must-have for the Huskers and checked every box for coach Matt Rhule and his staff.
“Virginia Tech, Michigan State and Syracuse were in on Rule as well, but Nebraska won his commitment and may have grabbed an unexpected freshman starter as a result.
“Hoping to prove a point during spring camp, Rule showed aggression and ran hard on every rep. The expectation is that the Huskers will take a by-committee approach in the run game this season following the departure of leading rusher Emmett Johnson, and Rule should get some totes along with Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson.”
Rhule, whose Huskers face a brutal schedule in 2026, said after the spring game that Rule is “certainly preparing to play this year as a freshman.”
What it could mean for the offense
An established running attack certainly could help new quarterback Anthony Colandrea and the offense. If Rule is the real deal, Nebraska’s now uncertain running back room could become a much-needed strength.
A running back who can break a big play would add a dimension to the Huskers’ offense that could allow them to run on obvious passing downs and keep defenses off-balance.
Opponents might be forced to specifically game-plan for that aspect of the Huskers’ offense. That added defensive focus on the running game could mean less attention paid to the passing attack — a potential Nebraska advantage.
A strong passing game begins with a strong ground game. That was a go-to, bread-and-butter Nebraska strategy for years.
Everyone will know soon enough, as the season begins in a mere two months.
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