Nebraska Senators Introduce Dual Bills to Legalize Marijuana, Senate Committee Schedules Public Hearing

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Lawmakers in Nebraska have introduced two comprehensive bills aimed at legalizing and regulating marijuana. Both bills are scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on August 2 at 1:30 PM.

Senator Terrell McKinney introduced Legislature Bill 71 this week, while Senator Justin Wayne introduced Legislature Bill 52 on the same day. Both bills propose the establishment of a regulated marijuana market, allowing anyone 21 and older to participate, but each takes a unique approach to doing so.

Legislature Bill 71, known as the Nebraska Cannabis Legalization and Revenue Allocation Act, seeks to create a comprehensive framework for the legal marijuana industry, while removing marijuana as a controlled substance. The bill would establish the Nebraska Cannabis Control Commission to oversee its cultivation, processing, distribution, and sale. The legislation includes provisions for social equity, mandating that a percentage of licenses be allocated to individuals from communities disproportionately affected by previous cannabis prohibition laws.

LB 71 sets the possession limit for dried marijuana at 2.5 ounces, and the limit for concentrates at 15 grams, with the cultivation of up to six plants also allowed.

Legislature Bill 52, titled the Cannabis Control Act and the Cannabis Conviction Clean Slate Act, also focuses on legalizing marijuana and shares similarities with LB 71 in terms of regulatory oversight and licensing. However, the specifics of the two bills differ, particularly in the mechanisms for revenue allocation and the structure of licensing. For example, while both bills focus on directing marijuana tax revenue toward education and public health, LB 71 emphasizes community reinvestment and support for areas disproportionately affected by past drug policies. LB 71 also includes provisions for social equity applicants, mandating a percentage of licenses be reserved for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

LB 52 takes a more modest approach to how much marijuana someone is allowed, setting the possession limit at just one ounce, with no allowance for concentrates. Like LB 71, LB 52 allows for the personal cultivation of up to six marijuana plants.

For the full text of LB 52, click here. For the text of LB 71, click here.