LINCOLN- A bill that would legalize and regulate medical marijuana in Nebraska will finally get its long-awaited day on the floor of the Legislature. Speaker John Arch announced Thursday that state legislators would begin debate over Sen. Ben Hansen's bill (LB677) on Tuesday. The Blair lawmaker's bill, which was deemed a priority by the General Affairs Committee, seeks to implement the language of a pair of successful ballot initiatives passed by a wide majority of Nebraska voters last fall.

The committee advanced the bill to the floor on a 5-3 vote on May 1, following a long series of negotiations among members. As amended, the bill allows doctors, physician assistants, or certified nurse practitioners licensed and practicing in Nebraska to recommend cannabis to patients who fall under a list of 15 qualifying medical conditions.

Patients would be able to access and possess up to 5 ounces of cannabis products such as edibles, oils, or other nonsmoking products, as well as up to 2 ounces of cannabis plant products. While the amended form of LB677 does not allow patients to smoke marijuana — a method allowed by the ballot initiative passed by voters — it would allow patients to inhale cannabis through vaporization or atomization.

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