Nebraska state senators launch effort to put medical cannabis on 2020 ballot

Two lawmakers in conservative Nebraska revealed plans to place a medical marijuana legalization measure on the 2020 ballot.

Sens. Anna Wishart and Adam Morfeld, both Democrats from Lincoln, announced the formation of Nebraskans for Sensible Marijuana Laws.

The campaign, which has received backing from the Marijuana Policy Project, will seek a constitutional amendment to give Nebraskans the right to use cannabis for medical purposes.

Wishart said the group plans to draft language and will start fundraising and conducting public opinion research.

“We arrived at this place because we haven’t seen any action by the Legislature,” Wishart said after filing paperwork to form the committee.

Nebraska’s nonpartisan but Republican-dominated Legislature has repeatedly rejected attempts to legalize medical marijuana, with some lawmakers painting it as a gateway to allowing recreational use.

In addition, Nebraska’s attorney general has been involved in efforts to overturn the recreational marijuana law in neighboring Colorado.

– Associated Press and Marijuana Business Daily