The Omaha Tribal Council has adopted a comprehensive cannabis regulation code, making the Omaha Tribe the first in Nebraska to fully legalize and regulate both medical and adult-use marijuana on tribal land.
The move places the Tribe ahead of the state, which is still finalizing its own rules following the 2024 voter-approved ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana. The Omaha Tribe’s new code, Title 51, includes legal access for patients under tribal law, as well as retail sales to all adults 21 and older—including non-tribal visitors—on reservation land.
“This is not just about cannabis,” said Omaha Tribal Chairman Jason Sheridan. “It’s about creating real opportunity for our people, asserting our sovereignty, and showing the region what Tribal leadership looks like.”
The code establishes a Cannabis Regulatory Commission to oversee implementation, along with strict licensing, testing, and enforcement measures. It also includes provisions to expunge prior cannabis-related offenses under tribal law and features a social equity framework designed to support those previously harmed by criminalization.
The phased rollout will begin in 2025 with licensing, compliance checks, and public education campaigns. The code also outlines pathways for tribal member ownership and encourages non-tribal business partnerships that reinvest in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
While the Nebraska Legislature failed to pass regulations before the end of its 2024 session, Governor Jim Pillen signed emergency rules to begin implementing the voter-approved medical marijuana law. However, the Omaha Tribe’s new code goes further, creating a framework that allows adult-use sales.
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