This bill amends various sections of Nebraska's medical cannabis laws, specifically the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act. It establishes a registry for patients and caregivers, a directory for health care practitioners, and outlines specific duties for these practitioners. The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is given enhanced powers and responsibilities, including the authority to create rules, enforce penalties, and manage taxation related to medical cannabis sales. Notably, the bill removes medical cannabis from the marijuana and controlled substances tax, aiming to streamline the regulatory framework. It also introduces new definitions and clarifies the roles of "caregiver" and "qualified patient," while emphasizing the confidentiality of the registry.

Additionally, the bill mandates that applicants for enrollment must pay a nonrefundable processing fee and allows for online applications. It specifies prohibitions for health care practitioners regarding recommendations and establishes the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission Cash Fund to support the act's administration. The commission is empowered to inspect operations, issue subpoenas, and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. Furthermore, the bill outlines a new allocation of sales tax revenues to the School District Property Tax Relief Credit Fund from cannabis sales, while imposing a tax on marijuana and controlled substances that does not apply to those legally possessing cannabis under the medical acts. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 77-2701.48, 77-2704.09, 77-4303