When Can We Start Getting Excited About Nebraska?

Maybe it’s because of our proximity to the state (Canna Advisors having been founded in Colorado), but Nebraska has always been a state we’ve been hoping to see launch it’s own cannabis program.

Now, we may finally see that happen.

Last November, Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved of Measures 437 and 438, which would legalize up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis following a doctor’s recommendation and establish the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate cannabis and licensed medical retailers by October 1, 2025. We’ve been holding out hope that Nebraska would get things moving, but litigation has complicated matters. (Litigation and cannabis? Who would have thought!)

But recent legislative actions have bolstered our spirits. Three new bills (LB651, LB677, and LB705) have been introduced to the Nebraska Senate which would expedite the launch of the program. These bills would allow Nebraskans with a doctor’s recommendation to apply for a medical cannabis registry card, though each has a different regulatory approach, with the licensing period then set to begin on January 1, 2026. A fourth bill (LB483, which we’re less than enthused about) has also been introduced which would set a 300-miligram THC cap on medical cannabis products and would restrict cannabis products to just pills or tinctures.

The sponsor of LB651, State Senator Danielle Conrad said, “The time is long overdue that Nebraskans in need of care have access to that care.”

Each of the first three bills notably also creates licensing requirements for prospective business owners:

• LB651 would create five license types: cultivator, dispensary, product manufacturer, testing facility, and vertical license.
• LB677 would create the five license types listed above, and also allow for a transporter license. Each license type would be limited, except for a transporter license.
• LB705 would instead have three business tiers for licensure—microbusiness, small businesses, and large-scale operators—and offer a patient delivery license.

While we may not know just yet what ultimately passes and could become law, this is an exciting step in the right direction. And if you want to be well positioned to seize the moment in this competitive state, now is the ideal time to start financial modeling and business planning, especially if you want to look for investors and additional funding options.

Contact us for the guidance and help you need to get started on the Nebraska licensing process.