Both medical marijuana measures in Nebraska pass easily, with judge's decision pending

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved two medical marijuana initiatives in Tuesday's general election.

Two measures — one to legalize medical marijuana and another to create a regulatory body — both passed easily, with over 65% of Nebraskans each voting in favor of the initiatives.

Crista Eggers of Gretna, whose son suffers from debilitating epileptic seizures, has been at the forefront of the campaign to get the issue on the ballot for more than a decade and spoke to 6 News Tuesday evening.

“I don’t think there are words to describe what this evening feels like after more than a decade of patience from caregivers who have fought, educated and advocated for access to cannabis for their loved ones,” Eggers said. “For all of this to be on the ballot and for Nebraskans’ voices to finally be heard — I don’t know if there are words for it.”

ELECTION 2024

To get the issue on the ballot, advocates had to organize a months-long petition drive, collecting over 230,000 signatures for the two petitions combined. Still, the measure's proponents' victory is not without an air of concern, as they are still awaiting a judge's ruling on whether or not some of those signatures were forged.

On Monday, Lancaster County District Court Judge Susan Strong took the case into consideration and asked that the remaining briefs be filed quickly to give the state Supreme Court time to hear the expected appeal.

A decision must be made before the results are confirmed on December 2nd. If the judge finds that enough signatures were forged – about 3,500 – Tuesday's results could be invalidated.

Organizers with Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana tell 6 News the overwhelming results from voters should speak for themselves.

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