Nebraska judge rules medical marijuana ballot initiatives are valid
By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Kalé Carey (News Reporter)
A ruling during the week of Nov. 24 brings Nebraska one step closer to a growing list of states where medical marijuana is legal. Although voters across the state approved ballot initiatives earlier this month by more than a two-thirds majority, the resolution was challenged and sent to the courtroom.
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Nebraska medical marijuana legalization is closer to reality after judge’s ruling but an appeal is likely
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on abc NewsNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Flin Flon ReminderNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Rocky Mountain OutlookNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on SooToday.comNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Barrie TodayNebraska Judge Dismisses Legal Challenges To Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana Measures
Click to see story on Marijuana MomentNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Thompson CitizenNebraska District Judge Upholds Voter-Approved Medical Cannabis Legalization
Click to see story on norml.orgNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KIFINebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KVIANebraska medical marijuana legalization is closer to reality after judge’s ruling but an appeal is likely
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on WPLGNebraska medical marijuana legalization is closer to reality after judge’s ruling but an appeal is likely
Click to see story on KOB 4Lancaster County District Court rules decision to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska should stand
Click to see story on KETVNebraska Judge Upholds Successful Medical Marijuana Initiatives
Click to see story on ForbesNebraska medical marijuana petitions ruled valid; law set to go into effect Dec. 12
Click to see story on Lincoln Journal StarNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KEYTNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KESQNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KMIZNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on NewsdayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KIONNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KYMANebraska judge rules medical marijuana ballot initiatives are valid
Click to see story on Straight Arrow NewsDistrict judge sides with Nebraska medical cannabis ballot sponsors in legal challenge
Click to see story on 10/11 NewsRight
Untracked Bias
Nebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on My Mother LodeNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Orillia MattersNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Newmarket TodayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Midland TodayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Collingwood TodayHealth: medical cannabis at an impasse again, according to professionals
Click to see story on Sud OuestNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Thorold TodayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Elora Fergus TodayNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Battlefords NOWNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on meadowlakeNOWJudge rules Nebraska’s medical marijuana petitions have enough legal signatures
Click to see story on ABC News 8 Lincoln KLKNNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on CFJC Today KamloopsNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on InnisfilToday.caNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on ElliotLakeToday.comNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on CambridgeToday.caNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on StratfordToday.caNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on The NOTL LocalNebraska medical cannabis legalization signatures are valid, judge rules
Click to see story on Marijuana Business DailyNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Bradford TodayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Timmins TodayNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Ckpg TodayNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on thealbertan.comNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Oakville NewsNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on fitzhugh.caNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on burlingtontoday.comNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on haltonhillstoday.caNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on flamboroughtoday.comNebraska Judge’s Ruling Edges The State Closer To Legalizing Medical Marijuana
Click to see story on nybreaking.comNebraska Judge Dismisses Legal Challenges To Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana Measures
Click to see story on newsbudz.comNebraska Judge Dismisses Legal Challenges To Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana Measures – Cannabis News World
Click to see story on Cannabis News WorldNebraska Judge Dismisses Legal Challenge to Medical Marijuana Initiatives Approved by Voters
Click to see story on The Marijuana HeraldThe Nebraskans for Marijuana campaign has been at the center of a lawsuit brought by Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, the Attorney General’s Office and former State Sen. John Kuehn.
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According to court documents, they allege there were issues with how thousands of signatures were collected.
Per Nebraska’s Constitution, ballot sponsors needed 86,499 signatures for both initiatives, which were certified ahead of Election Day by the Secretary of State’s Office.
One initiative focuses on how cannabis is regulated and the other on legalizing its use. Both passed with 67% and 71% of voter approval, respectively, when Nebraskans cast their ballots on Nov. 5.
One of the paid circulators for the campaign was criminally charged for his role in falsifying 164 signatures. That raised questions about the other collected signatures and whether they were properly notarized.
Michael Egbert admitted to forging signatures and illegally adding names to both petitions using a phonebook.
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana pushed back and said even if some signatures were faulty, the group still has close to 90,000 valid signatures on both petitions.
District Judge Susan Strong agreed with the group and released a 57-page order stating that in order to show fraud, the plaintiffs would have to prove more than 3,000 signatures on each petition were invalid.
However, according to the order, the “presumption of validity” was lost because the plaintiffs could only show less than a thousand signatures were invalid.
Strong wrote her decision wasn’t the result of the exclusion or inclusion of petitions and both Evnen and Kuehn would still fall short of the challenged signatures.
Judge Strong further said she could not find sufficient evidence of widespread wrongdoing through the campaign and the plaintiffs’ arguments were not made during court proceedings.
Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana had previously spent three years working to get these measures on the ballot but weren’t able to meet the signature requirements.
In 2020, the campaign came close before facing another legal issue when the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled the measure was unconstitutional because it violated the “single subject rule.”
Crista Eggers, the statewide campaign manager for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, helped push for the legalization of cannabis to help her son, who suffers from severe seizures and epilepsy.
“Many years of hard work have gone into this effort, from volunteers, patients and families across the state.”
Crista Eggers, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana.
In response to the recent decision, she said she hopes the election results will be upheld and that she’s happy with Strong’s ruling. She also looks forward to the safe, regulated use of medical marijuana.
The Attorney General’s Office could file an appeal on the judge’s ruling but the general election results are set to be certified on Dec. 2.
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A spokesperson for the AG’s office said they are reviewing the decision and are determining what the next steps are.
Voters in Florida, South Dakota and North Dakota pushed back on legalizing recreational cannabis, denying ballot measures on Election Day.
In 2023, Ohio joined 24 other states – including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Alaska and Arizona – that legalized recreational marijuana use for adults.
The growing support is also prompting the federal government to redefine marijuana. The Drug Enforcement Administration has started the process of reclassifying the drug as less dangerous.
[LAUREN TAYLOR]
A RULING THIS WEEK BRINGS NEBRASKA CLOSER TO JOINING A GROWING LIST OF STATES WHERE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS LEGAL.
VOTERS IN THE STATE APPROVED OF BALLOT INITIATIVES EARLIER THIS MONTH BY A MORE THAN TWO THIRDS MAJORITY – HOWEVER – THE RESOLUTION WAS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY CHALLENGED.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA PETITIONS HAVE BEEN AT THE CENTER OF A LAWSUIT BROUGHT ON BY FORMER NEBRASKA STATE SENATOR JOHN KUEHN WITH THE HELP OF SECRETARY OF STATE BOB EVNEN AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE.
COURT DOCUMENTS ALLEGE THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE PROCESS OF HOW THOUSANDS OF SIGNATURES WERE COLLECTED.
BALLOT SPONSORS NEEDED 86-THOUSAND4-HUNDRED-99 SIGNATURES FOR *BOTH* INITIATIVES
WHICH WERE CERTIFIED AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE.
ONE OF THE PAID CIRCULATORS FOR THE CAMPAIGN WAS CHARGED FOR FALSIFYING 164 SIGNATURES… RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OTHER COLLECTED SIGNATURES AND IF THEY WERE PROPERLY NOTARIZED.
BUT NEBRASKANS FOR MARIJUANA PUSHED BACK SAYING EVEN IF SOME SIGNATURES *WERE* FLAWED–THE GROUP *STILL* HAS CLOSE TO 90 THOUSAND VALID SIGNATURES ON BOTH PETITIONS
DISTRICT JUDGE SUSAN STRONG AGREED. SHE RELEASED A 57 PAGE ORDER STATING THAT TO SHOW FRAUD–THE PLAINTIFFS WOULD HAVE TO SHOW MORE THAN 3-THOUSAND SIGNATURES ON EACH PETITION WERE INVALID.
BUT THE ‘PRESUMPTION OF VALIDITY’ WAS LOST BECAUSE THE PLAINTIFFS COULD ONLY SHOW LESS THAN A THOUSAND SIGNATURES WERE INVALID.
JUDGE STRONG COULD NOT FIND SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF WIDESPREAD WRONGDOING THROUGH THE CAMPAIGN.
STATING THEY QUOTE “FULFILL ALL CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND ARE THUS LEGALLY SUFFICIENT UNDER NEBRASKA LAW.”
NEBRASKANS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA SPENT THREE YEARS TRYING TO GET THESE INITIATIVES ON THE BALLOT BUT HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO MEET THE SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS.
THE CAMPAIGN CAME CLOSE IN 2020 BEFORE FACING MORE LEGAL ISSUES WHEN THE NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT RULED THE MEASURE WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND VIOLATED THE SINGLE SUBJECT RULE.
CRISTA EGGERS LEADS THE GROUP, PUSHING FOR THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS TO HELP HER SON WHO BATTLES WITH ESPILEPSY AND SEVERE SEIZURES.
IN A STATEMENT, SHE SAYS “Many years of hard work have gone into this effort — from volunteers, patients and families across the state,”
SHE CONTINUES, SAYING SHE HOPES THE ELECTION RESULTS WILL BE UPHELD AND IS HAPPY WITH THE JUDGE’S RULING
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE COULD FILE AN APPEAL ON THE JUDGE’S RULING.
BUT THE GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS ARE SET TO BE CERTIFIED ON DECEMBER SECOND.
THIS YEAR VOTERS IN FLORIDA, NORTH DAKOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTA DENIED BALLOT MEASURES TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.
IN 2023, OHIO BECAME THE 24TH STATE TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA USE FOR ADULTS.
JOINING STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, NEW YORK, OREGON, VIRGINIA, ALASKA AND ARIZONA.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
Nebraska medical marijuana legalization is closer to reality after judge’s ruling but an appeal is likely
Click to see story on Associated Press NewsNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on abc NewsNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Flin Flon ReminderNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Rocky Mountain OutlookNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on SooToday.comNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Barrie TodayNebraska Judge Dismisses Legal Challenges To Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana Measures
Click to see story on Marijuana MomentNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Thompson CitizenNebraska District Judge Upholds Voter-Approved Medical Cannabis Legalization
Click to see story on norml.orgNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KIFINebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KVIANebraska medical marijuana legalization is closer to reality after judge’s ruling but an appeal is likely
Click to see story on Washington Top NewsNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on WPLGNebraska medical marijuana legalization is closer to reality after judge’s ruling but an appeal is likely
Click to see story on KOB 4Lancaster County District Court rules decision to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska should stand
Click to see story on KETVNebraska Judge Upholds Successful Medical Marijuana Initiatives
Click to see story on ForbesNebraska medical marijuana petitions ruled valid; law set to go into effect Dec. 12
Click to see story on Lincoln Journal StarNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KEYTNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KESQNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KMIZNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on NewsdayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KIONNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on KYMANebraska judge rules medical marijuana ballot initiatives are valid
Click to see story on Straight Arrow NewsDistrict judge sides with Nebraska medical cannabis ballot sponsors in legal challenge
Click to see story on 10/11 NewsRight
Untracked Bias
Nebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on My Mother LodeNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Orillia MattersNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Newmarket TodayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Midland TodayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Collingwood TodayHealth: medical cannabis at an impasse again, according to professionals
Click to see story on Sud OuestNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Thorold TodayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Elora Fergus TodayNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Battlefords NOWNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on meadowlakeNOWJudge rules Nebraska’s medical marijuana petitions have enough legal signatures
Click to see story on ABC News 8 Lincoln KLKNNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on CFJC Today KamloopsNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on InnisfilToday.caNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on ElliotLakeToday.comNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on CambridgeToday.caNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on StratfordToday.caNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on The NOTL LocalNebraska medical cannabis legalization signatures are valid, judge rules
Click to see story on Marijuana Business DailyNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Bradford TodayNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Timmins TodayNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Ckpg TodayNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on thealbertan.comNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on Oakville NewsNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on fitzhugh.caNebraska judge’s ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on burlingtontoday.comNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on haltonhillstoday.caNebraska judge’s ruling edges the state closer to legalizing medical marijuana
Click to see story on flamboroughtoday.comNebraska Judge’s Ruling Edges The State Closer To Legalizing Medical Marijuana
Click to see story on nybreaking.comNebraska Judge Dismisses Legal Challenges To Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana Measures
Click to see story on newsbudz.comNebraska Judge Dismisses Legal Challenges To Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana Measures – Cannabis News World
Click to see story on Cannabis News WorldNebraska Judge Dismisses Legal Challenge to Medical Marijuana Initiatives Approved by Voters
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