This bill amends Nebraska law to regulate medical cannabis more effectively by limiting permissible forms to pills or liquid tinctures and redefining relevant terms. It reduces the allowable possession limit for qualified patients from five ounces to three hundred milligrams of delta-9 THC, removes medical cannabis from the marijuana and controlled substances tax, and repeals outdated provisions. The bill also introduces new definitions, clarifies the roles of caregivers and health care practitioners, and establishes a tiered penalty system for marijuana-related offenses, particularly for individuals under eighteen, while ensuring that lawful conduct under the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act is not penalized.

Additionally, the bill modifies the structure of the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, which will now also function as the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, and includes regulations for the transport of hemp in compliance with federal law. It imposes a tax on marijuana and controlled substances but exempts those legally possessing cannabis under the medical acts. The bill aims to streamline and clarify the legal framework surrounding medical cannabis and drug offenses in Nebraska, with several sections of existing law being repealed to facilitate these changes. The new provisions are set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-416, 28-439, 28-476, 53-105, 53-106, 53-110, 53-111, 77-4303