NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – As debate began Tuesday morning on a bill outlining the framework for legalizing medical marijuana in Nebraska, a western Nebraska official is speaking out on the issue.
Randy Fair, the Keith County Attorney, spoke with News 2 not on behalf of the county attorney’s office but from his personal experience and years of practicing both criminal and civil law—as a prosecutor and defense attorney.
In 2014, Fair worked with then-State Senator Al Davis to explore alternative punishments and options related to marijuana offenses.
Fair said he’s frustrated that, after more than a decade, no meaningful progress has been made—and that state leaders continue to resist the will of the voters.
“The fear that all of these people have about having recreational marijuana is likely to come through if we’re not careful, because we won’t do what’s appropriate for the people that need it,” said Fair.
He believes the amended bill includes some safe, workable regulations.
“We got some good mechanisms that we can work with to allow people that need medical marijuana as a medical treatment option to give that option,” stated Fair.
Fair said its important for the public to contact their state senators to have their voices heard.
“I don’t know how you give me instructions as a county attorney, right?” he said. “You have LB 677 that passed and says you can have up to five ounces for medical purposes if you have a healthcare practitioner’s written recommendation.”
He questioned how enforcement would work under such conflicting guidance.
“So am I, in a small county—or a smaller county than mine—going to be responsible for trying to convicts someone for having an ounce of marijuana when they have this recommendation?” he said. “When we have an Initiative 437 that passed and signed by the governor, that says you get this recommendation…how is it I’m going to say they’re not complying with the law?”
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As debate began Tuesday morning on a bill outlining the framework for legalizing medical marijuana in Nebraska, a western Nebraska official is speaking out on the issue. Read More
