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3 days ago
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Palestine's status upgraded to 'Observer State' at International Labor Org.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) has unanimously approved upgrading Palestine's status from a "national liberation movement" to a "non-member observer state," marking a significant milestone in Palestine's international recognition. The decision was reached during the General Affairs Committee of the 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva. The final resolution is expected to be formally adopted in plenary on Thursday. This move aligns the ILO's position with that of other UN agencies such as UNESCO and the World Health Organization, following the UN General Assembly's Resolution ES-10/23 in May 2024. Expanded Rights for Palestine With the upgrade, Palestine will now enjoy expanded rights within the ILO, including: Delivering statements under all agenda items. Submitting proposals. Participating in all meetings with tripartite delegations Nominating delegates to the Conference Bureau starting in 2026. Ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi welcomed the decision, calling it a "firm and unambiguous response to the 'Israeli' Knesset's rejection of a Palestinian state." He added, "Some continue to reject fairness and persist in applying double standards, undermining the very principles of international legitimacy and justice." International support, opposition The resolution was strongly supported by the Arab Group, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and countries including France, China, Spain, and Switzerland. Both the Employers' and Workers' Groups backed the resolution, emphasizing its humanitarian necessity and alignment with the ILO's values. Hungary was the only country opposing the resolution. Khraishi expressed surprise at Hungary's stance, noting that it had recognized the State of Palestine as far back as 1988. Significance of the Decision Khraishi emphasized that "this step is not merely symbolic," but "an integral part of the Palestinian people's legitimate national and political struggle for justice, sovereignty, and self-determination."
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Medical cannabis regulations advance from Nebraska legislative committee
Supporters of medical cannabis helped two measures reach the 2024 general election ballot, Initiatives 437 and 438. Some spoke during a public hearing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Oct. 25, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — A legislative bill designed to help implement medical cannabis in Nebraska narrowly advanced from committee Thursday in the waning days of the 2025 session. Legislative Bill 677, from State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, advanced 5-3 from the General Affairs Committee. It would set up a clearer state regulatory scheme for the medical cannabis system that voters overwhelmingly approved in November. Just two weeks ago, the bill failed to advance 3-5 after no committee member tried to adopt a narrowing amendment. A new 'compromise' amendment adopted Thursday passed with one major change: up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower or bud could be sold to a qualified patient or caregiver. Smoking would not be allowed, and post-traumatic stress would not be a qualified medical condition, similar to the most recent version of LB 677 from Hansen. The latest changes won over conservative State Sens. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue and Stan Clouse of Kearney, who voted to advance the bill with three Democrats, State Sens. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, Dan Quick of Grand Island and Victor Rountree of Bellevue. State Sens. Bob Andersen of north-central Sarpy County, Barry DeKay of Niobrara and Jared Storm of David City, all Republicans in the officially nonpartisan body, again opposed LB 677. Hansen, a Republican, said Thursday's action is the 'first step of a few to move the ball forward, but instead of it being stagnant, it's like you finally gave it a kick.' Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, whose son would benefit under the law, said LB 677's advancement to the legislative floor was an 'extremely huge win' for patients and advocates who have fought for more than a decade for the measure. That timeline includes three ballot campaigns, multiple court cases and numerous legislative bills, including the most recent bill in 2021, which stalled by one vote. 'I think today we saw that the determination and the grit and the hurdles and the setbacks, they've all been worth it,' Eggers told reporters. 'We are extremely happy.' Hansen has said getting LB 677 passed this spring is critical to prevent the 'Wild West,' as it's unclear what would happen without state funds or clearer enacting legislation for the new Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission that voters also created. The law allows patients to possess up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis with a physician's recommendation. The Legislature's budget-writing Appropriations Committee plans to provide an extra $30,000 to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, at the executive director's request, to cover additional duties that his staff will jointly take on with the Medical Cannabis Commission. The three commissioners on the Liquor Control Commission also serve on the Medical Cannabis Commission. LB 677, as amended, would explicitly allow commission staff to share resources in carrying out each group's respective responsibilities. Storm and Andersen again led opposition to LB 677 during a committee meeting over concerns it represented 'big marijuana' and that the proposal, as advanced, essentially enables recreational marijuana, which Hansen denies. Andersen called the latest iteration of LB 677 among the 'most liberal' and asked how lawmakers could rectify LB 677 with the position of Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers that the Legislature should not act on any medical marijuana legislation. Holdcroft and Cavanaugh, the chair and vice chair of the General Affairs Committee, repeatedly pushed back and said they had to do something for the voters and that Hilgers' opinion was just that, an opinion. Part of the concern is that passing LB 677 could nullify the pending appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court over whether the ballot measures should have been allowed to be voted on. In Lancaster County District Court, Hilgers lost. This week, in an interview with Nebraska Public Media, Hilgers described the situation as a 60-yard or 65-yard game-winning field goal when there was 'clearly' an offensive player offside or who had a false start, or some other penalty. In his analogy, Hilgers is the referee. 'It has to be done the right way or it shouldn't count,' Hilgers said in that interview. Holdcroft in March, questioning a representative of the AG's Office opposing LB 677 at the bill's public hearing, said he felt Hilgers 'wants us to keep this law stupid, where he can find some loopholes in it and make it illegal.' 'The Legislature just isn't that kind of body,' Holdcroft said at the time. DeKay questioned whether LB 677 could lead to the 'black market,' because of a patient's immunity from possessing cannabis regardless of the source. Hansen's bill would tax medical cannabis the same as other products — 5.5 cents per $1, prior to local sales taxes. Cavanaugh, a lawyer, said black markets thrive on uncertainty and that if DeKay, Andersen or Storm wanted to stop that, then they should support LB 677. 'I am in favor of this because the voters voted for it, and this makes it safe, regulated and accessible,' Cavanaugh said, though he said he wished the bill also allowed PTSD as a qualifying condition. Clouse indicated that he still would have some amendments coming to the bill — the specifics of which he didn't share. He has said he wants to allow the governor to appoint up to two more outside members in addition to the two he can already appoint. The governor also already appoints the three commissioners to the Liquor Control Commission. Outside appointees, Clouse said, could perhaps include law enforcement or supply chain representatives. LB 677 would require at least one appointee to be a health care practitioner. Members would serve six-year terms. Gov. Jim Pillen this week appointed Lorelle Mueting, the prevention director of Heartland Family Service, which, among other things, connects people to substance abuse treatment, and Dr. Monica Oldenburg, an anesthesiologist, to the commission. Both women opposed recent medical cannabis proposals in Nebraska, Oldenburg in 2019 and Mueting in March. The General Affairs Committee will host hearings on the appointments this session. At one point during the sometimes contentious afternoon meeting, Holdcroft said he wasn't going to convince Andersen or Storm and called the vote. Holdcroft said the full Legislature deserved to be able to debate LB 677, with a chance of passage. Other changes advanced as part of the amended LB 677, from what voters decided in November, include limiting a qualified 'health care practitioner' to licensed physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants or nurse practitioners and practitioners. Medical providers could not recommend cannabis unless they have treated the patient for at least six months or if the provider primarily practices in Nebraska. Currently, a provider just has to be licensed anywhere in the country and follow the law to write a recommendation. Under existing statute, which has been the case since December, Nebraskans can use medical cannabis with a doctor's recommendation for any ailment. The amendment would limit 'qualifying medical conditions' to 15 ailments, similar to a list drafted by former State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln with the Nebraska Medical Association on a previous bill: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Autism with frequent self-injurious or aggressive behavior. Cancer. Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Epilepsy or epileptic seizures. Hepatitis C that causes moderate to severe nausea or cachexia. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Huntington's disease. Parkinson's disease. Spinal cord injury or disease with residual neurologic deficits. Terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year. Tourette's syndrome. A serious medical condition or related treatment that causes severe nausea or cachexia. Severe and persistent muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or muscular dystrophy. Severe or chronic pain lasting longer than six months that is not adequately managed, in the opinion of a health care practitioner, despite treatment attempts using either conventional medications other than opioids or opiates or physical interventions. Acceptable forms of cannabis would include edibles, concentrates, ointments, transdermal patches or creams, nebulizers and vaporizer cartridges or pens. Products intended for smoking, such as bongs or joints, could not be sold. Andersen and Storm said Nebraskans would just buy the flower or bud and make joints, which Cavanaugh and Holdcroft said would not be permitted. Eggers, Hansen and Holdcroft all noted the path ahead wouldn't be easy, with Eggers describing it as a 'huge journey' and Holdcroft saying he anticipated an 'uphill battle.' Hansen said that it was still too early to tell whether he could get 33 votes and pass the bill over the finish line. That's the minimum amount of votes needed under the Nebraska Constitution to amend a state law enacted by voters, regardless of a promised filibuster. Unlike other ballot measures this spring, supporters asked for companion legislation to beef up the proposal. Holdcroft said he would argue in favor of the measure but would 'reserve' his vote to see how the debate goes. This Saturday in La Vista, Sunday in Omaha and Monday in Lincoln, Holdcroft, Hansen and Cavanaugh will host public forums for the public to weigh in on medical cannabis. Eggers said Thursday also represented that senators were listening to voters on this issue and encouraged any Nebraskans to get engaged. Much of the next two weeks will be consumed by debate on the state budget. LB 677 is expected to be debated to its maximum debate limit across three stages of debate, lasting a combined 13 hours, leaving a tight timeline for LB 677 to become law. The bill would need to pass by June 2, in case it is vetoed by the governor, who has so far declined to weigh in on the bill but has joined Hilgers in saying the two have reservations. Hansen noted Hilgers' opposition is nothing new but that Hilgers, a former state senator and speaker of the Legislature, is a friend whom he trusts on many things. 'This is just one thing we differ on,' Hansen told the Nebraska Examiner. Hansen continued: 'I think he might know the legalities more than I do, but I know what the people want and what they deserve and what they voted for. We kind of have to meld those two things together somehow.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘It's not over': Medical cannabis regs fail to advance from Nebraska legislative committee
Crista Eggers of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, center, leads a news conference urging legislative support for bills to help implement a safe, fully regulated medical cannabis system. March 3, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — A legislative committee failed to advance a bill Thursday meant to help implement and regulate medical cannabis in Nebraska, leaving the sponsor and advocates on the hunt for a new path forward. The General Affairs Committee stalled, voting 5-3 against advancing Legislative Bill 677 from State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair. Senators tried to advance the bill as-is after none of the eight members entertained a motion on whether to amend the bill during continuing negotiations on how best to implement the overwhelming voter approval of medical cannabis in November. Hansen, after the vote, described his legislation as 'a must' for 2025 to prevent the 'Wild West.' That's because without legislative action, the regulatory commission voters created with the ballot measure has no effective power or funds to regulate medical cannabis. There is still 'some room' to come together, Hansen said, though the 'clock is ticking.' 'I don't want to shut all the doors right now, but some doors are closing, and they're closing fast, and so we have to act,' Hansen told reporters. The lead spokesperson for Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana also said the fight isn't over. Unless the committee reconsiders, Hansen faces a tough path to getting LB 677 into law, though the legislative rules do provide a path. He can file a motion — requiring at least 25 votes — to pull the bill out of committee. That would require scheduling by Speaker John Arch of La Vista, who has opposed medical cannabis in the past. The bill would then need to advance across three rounds of debate and pass with at least 33 senators, regardless of a filibuster, because it amends legal language voters approved. Ballot measures are self-enacting, and Nebraskans have legally been able to acquire up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis with a written health care practitioner's recommendation since mid-December, when Gov. Jim Pillen formally proclaimed the success of the measures and ushered the voter-approved language into law. Hansen's bill, which has the support of organizers of the 2024 medical cannabis campaign, would further expand the structure for regulating cannabis through the new Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission. Without state funds, officials have said it is nearly impossible for the commission to act or craft regulations, as required, by July 1. Hansen's bill would push back the deadline for regulations and licensing for more time to act. The amendment that members of the General Affairs Committee negotiated with Hansen would additionally regulate cannabis through the state system's prescription drug monitoring system in addition to seed-to-sale tracking systems, according to a copy obtained by the Nebraska Examiner. Acceptable forms of cannabis would include edibles, concentrates, ointments, transdermal patches or creams, nebulizers and vaporizer cartridges or pens. However, smoking would be prohibited, and no cannabis flower or bud could be legally sold. State Sen. Bob Andersen of north-central Sarpy County said he completely disagreed with allowing vaping, pointing to increased youth drug use. A qualified 'health care practitioner' would include only licensed physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants or nurse practitioners, and practitioners could not recommend cannabis unless they have treated the individual for at least six months or if the physician primarily practices in Nebraska. The committee amendment also would have limited 'qualifying medical conditions' to 15 ailments: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Autism with frequent self-injurious or aggressive behavior. Cancer. Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Epilepsy or epileptic seizures. Hepatitis C that causes moderate to severe nausea or cachexia. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Huntington's disease. Parkinson's disease. Spinal cord injury or disease with residual neurologic deficits. Terminal illness with a probable life expectancy of under one year. Tourette's syndrome. A serious medical condition or related treatment that causes severe nausea or cachexia. Severe and persistent muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or muscular dystrophy. Severe or chronic pain lasting longer than six months that is not adequately managed, in the opinion of a health care practitioner, despite treatment attempts using either conventional medications other than opioids or opiates or physical interventions. The amendment also would explicitly allow the Medical Cannabis Commission and Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, which consist of the same three commissioners, to share resources in carrying out the respective laws. The governor would be able to appoint two additional members to the Medical Cannabis Commission, one of whom would need to be a health care practitioner. The governor already appoints the three members of the Liquor Control Commission, bringing the allowable total to five commissioners. State Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney said he wanted to allow the governor to appoint up to two more outside members, such as law enforcement or supply chain representatives. State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, committee vice chair, said he wanted to ensure the physician appointee had human medical experience and wasn't, for example, a veterinarian. Pillen is a veterinarian, as is John Kuehn, a former state senator and one of the chief opponents to the medical cannabis laws. Kuehn has filed two lawsuits seeking to void the provisions, the first of which the Nebraska Attorney General's Office joined and that the Attorney General's Office and Kuehn lost. Kuehn is appealing to the Nebraska Supreme Court. The second is ongoing in Lancaster County District Court. Cavanaugh said he generally is against creating an ailments list but that the identified conditions were 'relatively reasonable,' though he wants post-traumatic stress disorder included. Holdcroft said the list was created with input from the Nebraska Medical Association, including work led by former State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, who championed medical cannabis and was part of the past three ballot measures. Holdcroft said the association was strongly against allowing marijuana for PTSD. On the ongoing litigation, Cavanaugh, a lawyer, said Attorney General Mike Hilgers and his office are giving advice to senators in ways that benefit the ongoing litigation. 'In this case, the attorney general is not representing the interests of the Legislature,' Cavanaugh told reporters. 'He's representing the interests of his office and I think this political agenda that he has continued to pursue before he was attorney general against the legalization of medical cannabis.' State Sen. Jared Storm of David City, who has agreed with Hilgers and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., to wait on any related medical cannabis legislation, repeatedly said during the Thursday committee meeting that Hilgers needed his day in court in front of the Supreme Court. Storm brought his own bill, LB 483, to limit allowable cannabis to 300 milligrams — 0.21% of 5 ounces — and only allow oils or tinctures as acceptable uses. Cavanaugh and State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, the committee chair, pushed back on Storm and said that the legal process had already played out once at the district court level, and Hilgers lost. Secretary of State Bob Evnen also placed the measures on the ballot, Holdcroft noted, and then voters weighed in. The AG's Office has threatened to sue if the cannabis commission begins licensing. Holdcroft acknowledged that should lawmakers pass LB 677, it might end the pending appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court. Speaking with the Nebraska Examiner, Storm said waiting just a little while could put the legal questions 'to bed.' The Legislature is set to adjourn in June, possibly delaying action until early 2026, which could push any regulations more than a year down the road. Storm told his colleagues that the ongoing lawsuits aren't Hilgers against the cannabis industry but the AG acting on behalf of the state. Holdcroft and Cavanaugh said voters had spoken. 'I'm all for helping people, and if this ballot initiative comes out that it's valid and accurate, then I'm all for moving forward to where we can help people,' Storm said. 'But I want to do it the right way.' Hansen said, 'next session is not it,' and that lawmakers have the chance to act now. Holdcroft, who opposed advancing LB 677 as is, said he, too, was a 'little disappointed' after the work to craft a committee amendment fell short. He said he felt the divide came down on smoking as a 'line in the sand,' while Hansen said he felt the flower and bud restriction was the breaking point. Holdcroft said selling cannabis flower would be a gateway toward recreational marijuana, which Hansen heavily disputed. He has regularly said his bill has nothing to do with recreational marijuana. 'Right now, I don't see a way ahead,' Holdcroft told the Examiner. Holdcroft said he hasn't heard anything of a pull motion yet, but he envisioned there could be a lot of pushback from conservatives in the Legislature. Hansen, who has often taken a Libertarian bent in the Legislature, is a Republican, as is Holdcroft. Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, told reporters that the campaign and supporters are no strangers to roadblocks, challenges and 'doors shut in our face.' Still, she remains confident in crafting the safest and best medical cannabis program and said voters knew what they were voting on. 'This will not be the end,' she said. To supporters, Eggers said she wants them to know that despite the hiccup, which both she and Hansen thought could be the outcome, 'we have every intention to keep fighting.' 'Giving up has never been an option. Being silenced has never been an option,' Eggers said. 'It's not over. It's not done.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers tasked with defining qualifying conditions for Nebraska medical cannabis
State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair kneels to talk with State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue. Hansen is the lead sponsor on a 2025 bill to help give structure to the state's new medical cannabis laws. Holdcroft is the chair of the General Affairs Committee considering his bill. March 25, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — The path forward for a medical cannabis bill in the Nebraska Legislature appears more uncertain after a committee chair tasked his members with deciding what medical conditions would qualify for access in the state and which forms of medical cannabis would be allowed. State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, chair of the Legislature's General Affairs Committee, described that task to his seven fellow committee members Wednesday. He provided them lists to choose a handful from the 'debilitating medical conditions' approved in neighboring Iowa, as well as what he said were the 42 conditions approved across the 38 other states with medical cannabis laws. Holdcroft described the comprehensive list as 'everything but the kitchen sink' in talking with the Nebraska Examiner, explaining that the 'people were silent' on what medical conditions would apply when they overwhelmingly adopted legalizing medical cannabis in November. 'We make it legal for anything and everything, it's essentially recreational marijuana at that point,' Holdcroft said, a stance advocates of the ballot measure argue is wrong. Legislative Bill 677, from State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, an effort aiming to flesh out a state regulatory scheme for medical cannabis, already faced an uphill climb to get out of committee among conservatives. Hansen, a Republican with a more Libertarian bent, said he still hopes to get his bill out of committee as 'clean and popular as we can.' Some advocates who championed the 2024 ballot measure say their support of the bill could be in jeopardy if Holdcroft's more limited approach is taken up. They and Hansen continue to hunt for a path forward that remains closer to voters' intent. 'It's almost like whatever we kick out of committee is going to be 'the' bill that I would like to see, that the industry would like to see, that the people who voted for it would like to see,' Hansen said. 'And that the Legislature can live with, at least 33 people can.' Holdcroft voiced his goal to get an amended version of LB 677 advanced by the end of next week. Any version would need at least five votes. Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana and 2024 campaign manager for the ballot measure, said the task that Holdcroft gave to his committee is disrespectful and that those concessions, among others, should be off the table. She said advocates didn't work so hard, gathering petition signatures and stories of pain and suffering from Nebraskans, to let a few senators decide who should be helped. Eggers has advocated on behalf of her youngest son, Colton, and said she'd never tell someone one child's life was more worthy than someone else's. 'Shame on them for trying to do that,' Eggers said. Eggers thanked Hansen for all his work in hearing from supporters, respecting ballot language and helping advocates. But she said the time for other lawmakers to voice opinions on what is 'right' is long overdue. Lawmakers had their chance, but they repeatedly pushed supporters away, Eggers explained, and 'essentially shut the door on our face each and every time' until the ballot was the only option. The measure to legalize up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis with a health care practitioner's recommendation passed with more than 71% of the vote, including majority support in all 49 legislative districts. A second measure, to set up the regulatory scheme through a new Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, passed with 67%. It got majority support in 46 legislative districts. Eggers said that while the campaign thought companion legislation to clarify the state's regulatory approach could be a 'best scenario' to help enact the will of the people, she said some lawmakers had gone too far. 'We are not in a position any longer, now that the people have spoken, to let our initiative be gutted into something that is not at all what the people passed,' Eggers said. Holdcroft said he would like his committee to wade through the lists and identify about six conditions that would qualify for access to medical cannabis, though he said he wouldn't object to the Iowa list of: Cancer, if the underlying condition or treatment produces severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting. Seizures, including epilepsy. Multiple sclerosis with severe or persistent muscle spasms. AIDS or HIV. Crohn's disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease. Any terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of under one year, if the illness or its treatment produces severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting. Parkinson's disease. Chronic pain. Post-traumatic stress disorder. Severe, intractable autism with self-injurious or aggressive behaviors (including pediatric). Ulcerative colitis. Corticobasal degeneration. Iowa state law also creates a path to expanding conditions via a recommendation by the Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Board and later adoption by the Iowa Board of Medicine. 'I think the approach should be: Keep it small, keep it restricted and do floor amendments if they want to expand it,' Holdcroft said. According to Holdcroft's second list, cancer, epilepsy or seizures and HIV or AIDS are listed in 'every' state; multiple sclerosis is listed in 'nearly' all states; chronic pain, PTSD and Chrohn's disease or inflammatory bowel disease are listed in 'most' states; and Parkinson's disease, glaucoma or ALS are listed in 'many' states. Other conditions on Holdcroft's lists range from sleep apnea, menstrual pain, sickle cell disease, tinnitus or 'any condition for which a physician would otherwise prescribe an opioid' to Lewy body disease, Alzheimer's, addiction recovery, hepatitis C or Huntington's disease. 'Conditions like severe nausea, cachexia/wasting syndrome and terminal illness are also frequently included,' Holdcroft's handouts state. Holdcroft said three conditions are likely must-haves: childhood epilepsy, terminal cancer and lifelong chronic pain. Part of that is because children with debilitating seizures were the face of the campaign, as moms and dads led the charge for more than 11 years at the statehouse. One condition that Holdcroft cast doubt on and said would need to be more specific: PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Holdcroft said the lists are not final, or even preliminary, but should serve as a starting point. State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, committee vice chair, said lawmakers should do as little as needed to give structure to voters' wishes but not 'undermine' or 'walk back' their will. He noted voters purposefully approved up to 5 ounces of cannabis and no specific conditions. Edison McDonald, executive director of the Arc of Nebraska, said during the bill's hearing not to limit the conditions to prevent needing annual bills to expand the list. Cavanaugh said the arbitrary deliberations could exclude voters who specifically supported the measures for themselves or loved ones. 'I think when you start picking arbitrary numbers of maladies that will qualify, that is a disservice,' he said. Cavanaugh said he always thinks of one of his constituents alongside marijuana regulations. He described her as somebody's grandma in a fancy house in the Dundee neighborhood in Omaha, 'not somebody you would necessarily think of as an advocate for legal cannabis.' She was, he said, for her husband who had stomach cancer and had tried many drugs to help. Cavanaugh's district in midtown Omaha had the highest support for the regulatory measure. 'My approach would be to do as little as necessary to make sure that people are going to be able to access this safely and legally,' Cavanaugh said. He suggested delegating authority for putting together or researching qualifying conditions to the new Medical Cannabis Commission. Hansen said he is working hard with committee members to see what they can 'live with,' but if those changes differ with what he or advocates can live with, then the bill will be adjusted during debate. However, as recent filibuster-plagued sessions have shown, opponents can use legislative rules to block how many amendments can be added, further complicating the bill's path toward securing the 33 votes it would need to become law. Under the Nebraska Constitution, amending voter-approved laws requires two-thirds of the 49-member Legislature. Hansen said it may be necessary to get something passed first, to set up the rules and regulations and get the framework established, and not 'eat the whole apple in one setting.' Hansen repeated the importance of getting something passed in 2025 as the voter-approved regulatory law is set to take effect in less than three months, making it virtually impossible for the new Medical Cannabis Commission — which has taken zero steps toward regulations — to have formal guidance in place by July 1. State licensing is supposed to begin by Oct. 1. The Attorney General's Office has threatened to sue if the cannabis commission begins licensing. Holdcroft said the bill being considered would delay both the regulatory and licensing deadlines by at least three months. The law legalizing medical cannabis with a written doctor's note took effect Dec. 12, in all forms and for all conditions. However, with no guidance from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, many advocates have told the Nebraska Examiner that doctors are refusing to recommend the drug that would need to be purchased out of state. Holdcroft has suggested lowering the 5-ounce authorization to 300 milligrams, a limit that was suggested by freshman State Sen. Jared Storm of David City via LB 483. Holdcroft also suggested beginning at pills, oils or tinctures as part of Storm's bill and expanding from there. Smoking as a permissible form of use is a roadblock for a majority of the committee. Much of the hesitation revolves around fear of legalizing recreational marijuana, which Hansen noted many on the committee 'vehemently oppose' — as do Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., who are urging the Legislature to pass no cannabis-related laws this spring. Hansen said avoidance could risk potential legal challenges or public backlash, one of the 'fastest ways' he said to get voters to consider recreational marijuana. 'One of the fastest tracks of that happening in Nebraska is not doing what the people voted for or cutting this way too short or restricting it too much, or not passing something at all,' Hansen said. Hansen said that if that did happen, he wouldn't be surprised if come November 2026, voters are left weighing whether to approve recreational marijuana. The Blair senator has described the path ahead, with no law change, where the commission could continue to have no funds and no way to do its job, as the 'Wild West.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Medical cannabis bill awaits amendment as possible green light to full Nebraska Legislature
Supporters of medical cannabis helped two measures reach the 2024 general election ballot, Initiatives 437 and 438. Some spoke during a public hearing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Oct. 25, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — The legislative committee mulling how to help implement Nebraska's voter-led medical cannabis laws awaits an amendment before lawmakers vote on whether to advance the bill. Legislative Bill 677, from State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair, seeks to help carry out the overwhelming voter approval to legalize and regulate medical cannabis in the state last fall. His bill would create a regulatory structure for licensing and detail how patients or caregivers could become registered to obtain up to 5 ounces of physician-recommended cannabis at one time. State Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, chair of the Legislature's General Affairs Committee, said last week that he and seven other committee members were awaiting a final amendment that could help the currently deadlocked committee decide whether to advance the bill. 'The people have spoken, and we need to put in place the best possible regulatory structure,' Holdcroft told the Nebraska Examiner. Hansen has said one key change in his amendment would be tracking medical cannabis through the state's prescription drug monitoring program, similar to the process for opioids. At least nine states use a local prescription drug monitoring program to carry out local medicinal cannabis laws. The Blair senator has also voiced support for defining a 'qualifying medical condition' for which a health care practitioner may recommend the drug and requiring that a physician be required to be appointed to one of the two at-large spots on the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission charged with regulating and implementing the laws. The new commission automatically includes the three commissioners of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Under current law, the governor has the option to appoint two more members. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., have urged the Legislature to take no action on the laws. Hilgers' office has threatened legal action if the new commission licenses new businesses later this year or in the future. However, every member of the General Affairs Committee in talking with the Examiner said some legislation could be helpful in upholding the will of the people. Holdcroft, as chair, has already designated LB 677 as one of his committee's two 2025 priority bills, increasing the chances the bill would be debated by the full Legislature, if it moves forward. The final amendment could be key to LB 677's prospects this year as Holdcroft and State Sens. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, Dan Quick of Grand Island and Victor Rountree of Bellevue have already voiced support for advancing the bill. The bill needs at least five votes to advance to the floor. Cavanaugh, the committee vice chair, as well as Quick and Rountree, said the will of the people is clear about legalized medicinal cannabis. 'I think that we should disturb that as little as possible while giving structure to it,' Cavanaugh said. Rountree echoed that 'the people are wise,' while Quick noted medical cannabis could be the right alternative for some people compared to opioid prescriptions. The other half of the committee still has some concerns, State Sens. Bob Andersen of north-central Sarpy County, Stan Clouse of Kearney, Barry DeKay of Niobrara and Jared Storm of David City. Storm brought a competing cannabis-related bill to the committee this year that would limit the forms of legal medical cannabis with a much smaller legal amount. Much of the caution centers on a desire to prevent a legal path in the future toward recreational marijuana. Some senators also have said they are concerned because the substance remains listed as a Schedule I drug by the federal government. Federal agencies have taken steps toward reclassification, and President Donald Trump has also voiced support for legalized cannabis. Thirty-eight other states legalized medicinal cannabis before Nebraska. 'We need to maintain the will of the people, but we need to do it in a responsible way,' Andersen said last week. Clouse and DeKay said they would like to limit or eliminate smoking as an acceptable form of taking or ingesting medical cannabis. Public smoking is already prohibited under the state's Clean Indoor Air Act passed in 2008, similar to cigarettes and vapes. DeKay said his preference would be limiting medicinal cannabis to pills, oils or ointments. 'I will support medical marijuana but it may not be totally in agreement with what everybody wants to on the committee,' DeKay said. Lawmakers, advocates mull medical cannabis regs to prevent 'Wild West' in Nebraska Under the voter-approved laws, medical cannabis is legal in all forms with a written physician's recommendation. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services had not issued any guidance on the laws as of earlier this month. Clouse and Storm have said a physician should serve on the commission, and Clouse said the fifth spot should be reserved for a law enforcement representative. 'I think there is a need and use for medicinal cannabis and marijuana,' Clouse said. 'I think we need to regulate it so that the people that need it are getting it but it doesn't turn into something that eventually evolves into recreational use.' Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, the group that spearheaded the ballot initiative, has focused its attention on Andersen, Clouse and DeKay to find one more vote to get LB 677 to the floor. Gov. Jim Pillen has not weighed in on Hansen's bill but in December, when signing the measures into law, joined Hilgers in stating that 'serious issues' remained about the validity and legality of the laws. Storm in January brought LB 483 to limit permissible cannabis forms to pills and liquid tinctures, but he's since said he is open to oils, creams, ointments, suppositories or nebulizers. He's pointed to the medical program in Iowa that prohibits smoking cannabis in any form. A freshman senator from David City, Storm said at his bill's hearing that he has sympathy for those suffering but is focused on getting the regulations right. 'I think that we slow walk it and we get this right, because if we get it wrong, you let the genie out of the bottle, you're not getting it back in,' Storm said earlier this month, suggesting delaying action to 2026. 'So we slow walk this, do what's right, truly help people the best we possibly can.' Hilgers said last week at a news conference that the Feb. 28 amendment from Hansen risked rewriting the voter-approved process and creating 'an entire infrastructure and licensing scheme to set the stage for recreational marijuana.' 'It is not the will of the people to take an opening on medicinal marijuana, rip up the regulatory structure passed by the people, and pass something that appears to have been drafted entirely by, or mostly, by out-of-state interests who want to exploit the Nebraska market for their own particular profit,' he said. Hilgers encouraged anyone interested in the issue, which he described as 'most Nebraskans,' to read Hansen's latest amendment 'and walk away with any other impression other than this is set up for a recreational marijuana industry.' Hilgers' office opposed LB 677 and threatened legal action against the Medical Cannabis Commission if it licenses businesses. Hilgers said his office would have 'more to say in the coming days and weeks' on the proposals. Hansen has repeatedly pushed back on criticisms that his bill could lead to recreational marijuana use, telling the committee that is a conversation for the future while his bill seeks to address and avoid the potential 'Wild West' if no bills are passed this year. Holdcroft the past two years voted against recreational marijuana on the Judiciary Committee, but, medicinally, 'the people have spoken,' he said. Like Hansen, Holdcroft too has pushed back on the Attorney General's Office, which would have a dedicated assistant attorney general under LB 677 to assist the commission. 'What I'm hearing here … is the attorney general wants us to keep this law stupid, where he can find some loopholes in it and make it illegal,' Holdcroft told a representative of the AG's Office at LB 677's hearing. 'The Legislature just isn't that kind of body.' Tight deadlines present another set of wrinkles in setting up the new medical cannabis laws. Under the voter-approved law, the Medical Cannabis Commission has until July 1 to establish criteria to accept or deny applications for registered establishments. Registrations must begin by Oct. 1. Hobert Rupe, executive director of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, who under Hansen's bill could serve the same role on the Medical Cannabis Commission, told the General Affairs Committee and Appropriations Committee last week that his team has no budget for the medical cannabis work. 'As you're aware, the public passed the initiatives,' Rupe told the Appropriations Committee on Thursday. 'Well, what they did was they created an agency without any budget or any staff.' Rupe said those funds could come either through the next two-year state budget or an accompanying appropriation through Hansen's bill, if passed. Without a budget, the commissioners can't have a public hearing without paying for or creating a public hearing notice. The Examiner asked State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the Appropriations Committee, on Thursday, before Rupe's budget hearing, what the committee would do with the new commission. Clements said it was the first he had heard of the new commission and its budget. Rupe told Clements' committee that getting a cannabis bill out of committee could help him and his commissioners 'hang our hat on' it taking effect and plan ahead, given the timeline. 'I hope that whatever comes out of the Legislature … might extend those deadlines a little bit,' Rupe said. 'Even so, even if that's extended, that's not a lot of time to do a stand-up agency, even if they are sharing resources with us.' The latest amendment to Hansen's bill would delay the initial rulemaking to Oct. 1 and set a first round of applications between Oct. 13 and Dec. 15. Those applications would need to be approved or denied by March 16, 2026. Of the budget, Clements told Rupe of Hansen's pending bill: 'I guess we'll have to wait and see what comes out there then.' Hansen's bill, because it would amend legal language from a ballot measure, would require at least 33 votes to take effect, regardless of any filibuster, under the Nebraska Constitution. John Kuehn v. Secretary of State Bob Evnen and ballot sponsors Anna Wishart, Crista Eggers and Adam Morfeld (alleging fraud and that ballot measures should not have been put on the ballot) Sept. 12: Lawsuit filed to invalidate medical cannabis petitions. Evnen and the Attorney General's Office later joined forces with Kuehn against the proposed laws. Oct. 29-Nov. 4: Civil trial is held against the medical cannabis ballot measures. Nov. 5: Nebraskans overwhelmingly approve measures to legalize and regulate medical cannabis. Nov. 26: Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong rules in favor of the ballot measure sponsors, upholding the vote of the people. Dec. 5: Appeal filed to Nebraska Court of Appeals, days later picked up by the Nebraska Supreme Court. March 10: Kuehn files a brief explaining the reason for appeal. Early April: Evnen's brief regarding the appeal or cross-appeal, if any, is due. Late April/Early May: The ballot sponsors' brief or cross-appeal, if any, is due. After this point, the case can be listed as ready for oral arguments at a future date. John Kuehn v. Gov. Jim Pillen; Secretary of State Bob Evnen; ballot sponsors Anna Wishart, Crista Eggers and Adam Morfeld; Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services CEO Steve Corsi; State Treasurer Tom Briese; Nebraska Tax Commissioner Jim Kamm; and three commissioners on the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission Bruce Bailey, Harry Hoch, Jr. and Kim Lowe (alleging medical cannabis laws are unconstitutionally preempted by the federal government) Dec. 10: Lawsuit filed to stop the implementation of the ballot measures. Dec. 11: Lancaster County District Judge Susan Strong declines to block measures from taking effect. Dec. 12: Pillen signs ballot measures into law to legalize and regulate medical cannabis. Jan. 10: Kuehn amends lawsuit to include Corsi, Briese, Kamm, Bailey, Hoch and Lowe. Feb. 14: Pillen, Evnen, Corsi, Briese and Kamm (the 'state defendants') file to dismiss the case. Feb. 17: Ballot sponsors file to dismiss the case. Late March: Any remaining motions to dismiss or briefs in support of motions to dismiss are due. Late April: Kuehn deadline to reply to motions to dismiss. Mid-May: Any reply briefs to Kuehn are due. May 20: Judge Strong will host an in-person hearing at 10 a.m. on the motions to dismiss. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
