UNICAMERAL UPDATE News published daily at Update.Legislature.ne.gov Vol. 44, Issue 10 / March 9 - 12, 2021 Legalization of medical cannabis proposed bill that would approve cer- LB474, introduced by Lincoln Sen. that more than 70 percent of Nebras- tain forms of cannabis for Anna Wishart, would create a frame- kans support legalizing medical canna- A medical use was heard by work for legalizing medical cannabis bis. While supporters span the politi- members of the Judiciary Committee use in Nebraska. cal, age and geographic spectrums, she March 10. Wishart said a 2017 study showed said, they all share a common desire to assist those struggling with chronic illnesses who could be helped by medi- cal cannabis. “I’m here for the fifth year in a row to have Nebraska’s elected leaders step up and represent the will of the people and pass a safe and regulated medical cannabis system,” Wishart said. To qualify for a medical cannabis registration card under the bill, a per- son must receive written certification that medical cannabis would improve their condition from a health care practitioner with whom they have an established, bonafide relationship. Registered medical cannabis users could purchase cannabis through regu- Sen. Anna Wishart said the vast majority of Nebraskans support legalizing medical cannabis. (continued page 3) Bill broadened to include to-go alcohol sales, advanced awmakers amended a bill to create a package of [Nebraska] Liquor Control Commission,” he said. changes to Nebraska’s liquor laws before advancing A General Affairs Committee amendment, adopted L it from general file March 9. 30-1, added provisions of two additional bills. LB274, as introduced by Sen. John Lowe of Kearney, LB72, introduced by Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, would create a new promotional farmers would allow the holder of a Class C market special designated license. Under liquor license to sell alcohol not in the bill, farm wineries, craft breweries the original package — such as a mixed and micro-distilleries that currently are drink or cocktail — for consumption off licensed to manufacture alcoholic bev- the premises. The holder of a Class I erages could apply for the SDL, which liquor license could do the same if the would allow sales at any farmers market alcohol is not partially consumed and for one year, subject to local approval. Sen. John Lowe is purchased with food. Sen. Suzanne Geist Currently, such entities must apply for an SDL for Farm winery license holders would be allowed to sell each event at which they sell alcohol. Lowe said some products such as sangria or wine slushies for consumption farm wineries apply for 100 SDLs a year and virtually all off premises under the amendment. All alcohol sold would of them are approved. be in a sealed, labeled container with a tamper-evident “This is a waste of time for small business and for the (continued page 2) INSIDE: Telehealth expansion clears first round • School safety reporting bill advanced March 9 - 12, 2021 Bill broadened to include to-go Find Your Senator alcohol sales, advanced (continued from front page) NebraskaLegislature.gov provides lid, cap or seal and, if placed into a alcohol by volume. an easy tool for locating your car, be out of reach of the driver or “We are overtaxing this specific district and senator. passengers. product and it is making it cost pro- Enter your full address into the Geist said the provisions would hibitive for [manufacturers] to be able “Find Your Senator” search make permanent an executive order to enter into the market,” Vargas said. field located on the right side of signed by the governor during the Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte the home page. This opens a pandemic that helped bars and res- said he supported the underlying bill map that shows your legislative district and a picture of your taurants survive. and the amended provisions. He said senator, along with a link to that “The whole intention of bringing LB274 would allow small businesses senator’s web page. the bill was to help recoup the revenue to expand their customer base while stream that was lost by these estab- LB72 would help restaurants recover This page includes senators’ lishments because of the [pandemic- from the ongoing COVID-19 pan- contact information and links to related] shutdown,” Geist said. demic. Lowering the excise tax on their biography and photos. It Also included in the amendment ready-to-drink cocktails is a matter of also provides a list of committees were provisions of LB578, introduced fairness, he said. they serve on and bills they’ve by Omaha Sen. Tony Vargas. The provi- Sen. Robert Hilkemann of Omaha introduced. sions would create said lowering the tax on ready-to-drink a new category of cocktails would lead to alcohol abuse alcoholic beverage and drunk driving and would cost the and set the excise state an estimated $5 million annu- tax at 95 cents per ally in lost tax revenue. He offered an gallon. Ready-to- amendment to strip those provisions drink cocktails from the bill, which failed on a vote would be charged Sen. Tony Vargas of 2-17. $3.75 per gallon without creation of the Following a failed motion by Hilke- new category, which defines a ready-to- mann to recommit LB274 to commit- drink cocktail as spirits in an original tee, the bill advanced to select file on container with up to 12.5 percent a vote of 33-0. n UNICAMERAL UPDATE The Unicameral Update is a free, weekly newsletter published during the legislative session. It is produced by the Clerk of the Legislature’s Office through the Unicameral Information Office. For print subscriptions, call 402-471-2788 or email [email protected]. Visit us online at Update.Legislature.ne.gov, twitter.com/UnicamUpdate and facebook.com/UnicameralUpdate. Clerk of the Legislature: Patrick J. O’Donnell Editor: Kate Heltzel; Writers: Kyle Harpster, Ami Johnson, Mike Malloy; Photographer: Bess Ghormley Printed copies of bills, resolutions and the Legislative Journal are available at the State Capitol room 1104, or by calling 402-471-2709 or 800-742-7456. Status of bills and resolutions can be requested at that number or can be found on NebraskaLegislature.gov. Live video of hearings and floor debate can be viewed on NET2 and at NetNebraska.org/capitol. Senators may be contacted by mail at this address: Senator Name, District #, State Capitol, P.O. 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THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE’S OFFICIAL NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1977 PAGE 2 • UNICAMERAL UPDATE • 107TH LEGISLATURE March 9 - 12, 2021 Legalization of medical cannabis proposed (continued from front page) lated in-state dispensaries or home ing marijuana early in his professional dosing — that are already available to delivery from out-of-state suppliers. career, he said, and began sleeping Nebraska clinicians to prescribe for Patients would be limited to no more better, recovering faster and dealing patients whom evidence has demon- than two and one-half ounces of can- with less pain. strated will have a clinical benefit,” nabis — or a greater amount approved “I believe to my core that this plant Kuehn said. by a medical necessity waiver — or was given to us to promote healing,” Nebraska State Patrol Superin- cannabis infused products with no Wistrom said. “We have an opportu- tendent John Bolduc also spoke in more than 2,000 milligrams of THC. nity to end emotional and physical opposition. He said that other states Cannabis infused edible products pain through plant-based medicine for with approved medical marijuana pro- — other than pills — and cannabis used thousands of good, kind, hard-working grams have issues with the sale of legal in vaporizers would not be permitted. citizens in this state that I love.” marijuana to unqualified individuals. LB474 would prohibit any regis- Nicole Hochstein, speaking on “Because of the demand and tered user of medical cannabis from behalf of Nebraska Families for Medi- potential profit, decriminalizing the driving, operating a boat, train or cal Cannabis, also testified in support distribution and possession of even aircraft or undertaking any task that of the bill. She said the evidence in medical marijuana contributes to the would be negligent or constitute mal- favor of medical cannabis use is clear, dangerous problem the black market practice while under the influence of concise and plentiful. poses to public safety, including the cannabis. They also could not work on “Our children deserve medications rise in violent crime,” Bolduc said. transportation equipment, property that could provide them with relief The committee took no immediate or facilities. [from] these debilitating seizures, but action on LB474. n Medical cannabis would not be their zip code is preventing it,” Hoch- covered by Medicaid under the bill stein said. and private insurers would not be re- Speaking in opposition to LB474 Search for Bills quired to cover its costs. Any registered was Gary Anthone, chief medical offi- user who sells their medical cannabis cer for the state Department of Health Learn more about bills considered would suffer immediate revocation of and Human Services Division of by the Unicameral by logging on to NebraskaLegislature.gov. their registration card. Public Health. He said that legalizing Amanda McKinney, a physician and marijuana for any purpose — includ- The Legislature’s website offers medical educator specializing in medi- ing medicinal use — poses risks for the a bill search on the upper-right cal cannabis, spoke in support of the health and safety of Nebraskans.