Two Nebraska marijuana legalization bills, Legislature Bill 71 and Legislature Bill 52, are set for a public hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on August 2 at 1:30PM.
This hearing represents a significant step in Nebraska’s legislative journey toward marijuana legalization, and it comes three months before voters will consider an initiative to legalize medical marijuana.
Introduced by Senator Terrell McKinney and Senator Justin Wayne, these bills propose to legalize and regulate marijuana use for adults aged 21 and older. While both bills share the common goal of legalizing marijuana including licensed stores, they offer different regulatory frameworks.
LB 71 allows for the possession of up to 2.5 ounces of dried marijuana and 15 grams of concentrates, while LB 52 limits possession to one ounce and does not permit concentrates. Both bills, however, include provisions for the personal cultivation of up to six plants.
LB 71 outlines a comprehensive regulatory system managed by the proposed Nebraska Cannabis Control Commission. This bill emphasizes social equity by mandating that a portion of cannabis licenses be allocated to individuals from communities disproportionately affected by previous cannabis laws. It also directs tax revenue from marijuana sales to education, public health, and community reinvestment.
Similarly, LB 52 aims to establish a regulated cannabis market but differs in its approach to revenue allocation and licensing. While both bills channel marijuana tax revenue toward education and public health initiatives, LB 71 places additional emphasis on community reinvestment in areas disproportionately impacted by past drug policies. It also ensures that a portion of the licenses are reserved for social equity applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A public hearing is required for legislation to receive a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
