A proposal banning certain forms of hemp and so-called synthetic cannabis was passed over Friday before a vote could be taken.
Sen. Kathleen Kauth, who sponsored the bill, LB316, made the decision after it appeared there would not be the votes necessary to overcome a filibuster attempt.
Progressives filed motions to stop an amendment, AM1574, which would have clarified that the bill wouldn’t supersede the medical marijuana initiatives Nebraskans passed in November from being added to the bill.
Sen. Ben Hansen, who voted for the bill on the first two rounds, said without the amendment, he couldn’t support it moving forward.
“The language that is in this bill, I think, could be used to greatly impact medical marijuana, and that’s something I cannot have,” he said, “I think the people passed that for a specific reason, and I think they are then due to have what they voted for.”
Other opponents of the bill said its passage would cause small businesses to shutter and turn owners of CBD products into unsuspecting felons.
Sen. Jared Storm, who made the bill his priority legislation for the session, said Attorney General Mike Hilgers has held back from prosecuting Delta-8 retailers until seeing the fate of LB316.
“If this doesn’t pass, or if we pull it, or whatever we decide to do, then the Attorney General is going to go back to hitting those shops, which is going to be a lot more expensive, a lot more litigation, a lot more trying for those people,” Storm said.
Later in the afternoon, senators voted on both of Gov. Jim Pillen’s appointments to the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission.
Both nominees have been outspoken against previous attempts to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska. Those views drew opposition from some senators in the body like Sen. John Cavanaugh.
“There’s a problem when you bring your bias, you cannot be impartial, to the regulatory system,” he said.
Following brief floor debate, Dr. Monica Oldenburg was approved on a 34 to 11 vote, while Lorelle Mueting was approved 27 to 16.
Pillen celebrates online protections, private school tax breaks approved
Bill defining ‘male’ and ‘female’ for Nebraska school sports participation passes
Legislature scales back sick leave, doesn’t change minimum wage
Legislature debates local government oversight, school finance
Legislature advances bill banning some consumable hemp products, taxing others
Legislature upholds Pillen’s veto of bedbug bill
Senators question Pillen’s appointments for Medical Cannabis Commission
Lower minimum wage revived, but may wait until next year
Legislative oversight proposal gets first-round approval
Nebraska Legislature fails to advance medical marijuana regulations
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Kathleen Kauth, made the decision to pass over the bill after it appeared there would not be the votes necessary to overcome a filibuster attempt. Read More
