Governor Jim Pillen has chosen former Judge J. Michael Coffey to join the board tasked with regulating medical marijuana under the law voters approved last November.
Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of J. Michael Coffey to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, representing the 2nd Congressional District. His appointment, while immediate, is subject to confirmation next year by the Nebraska Legislature.
Coffey is a former district court judge in the 4th Judicial District, which consists of Omaha. He retired in June 2023 after nearly 25 years on the bench. Prior to his appointment to the court, Coffey was a practicing attorney in Omaha. He earned his juris doctor from the Creighton University School of Law.
Members of the Liquor Control Commission serve six-year terms. Each person represents a different congressional district in Nebraska.
Coffey would join current commissioners Bruce Bailey of Lincoln and Kim Lowe of Kearney, along with two additional members—Dr. Monica Oldenburg and Lorelle Mueting—who were approved separately last month to help oversee the medical cannabis rollout.
The commission held its first meeting earlier this month and is scheduled to meet again next week as it works to meet a July 1 deadline to finalize licensing rules for the state’s upcoming medical marijuana program.
