From abortion to paid sick leave and medical marijuana, Nebraska voters will decide several key issues when they head to the polls next week. Our team of reporters at News Channel Nebraska is breaking down each of the ballot measures, simplifying the language to help you make an informed vote.

NCN kicks off our coverage with a look at the two medical marijuana initiatives. Initiative 437 would create a law that makes it legal for people who have a written recommendation from a health care provider to possess or acquire up to five ounces of cannabis for medical use. It would also allow caregivers to help those patients with taking marijuana. A vote against simply means such a law will not be created.

Supporters point to research indicating cannabis is effective in treating several conditions, including chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and PTSD. Opponents argue that the initiative contradicts federal law and allows medical recommendations from providers who don’t necessarily have an established relationship with the patient. They also point out that the marijuana doesn’t have to be dispensed by a licensed pharmacist.

Patrick Habecker is a research assistant professor at the World Drug Addiction Research Center at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where surveys found strong support for legalizing medical marijuana.

“We found if we looked at the medical piece completely, in 2020 about 83% of Nebraskans who are adults support medical marijuana—that it should be legal, that it should be an option. Only around 16.5% say it should not be legal at all,” said Habecker.

For the past four years, his team has surveyed Nebraskans—finding consistent support for medical marijuana.

“Eighty percent or more of Nebraskan adults are willing to say that medical marijuana should be legal in the state for use by adults,” said Habecker.

However, Habecker said there’s less support for legalizing recreational use of marijuana—around 40 to 45 percent.

“That’s also where we see more partisan splits. Generally speaking for medical options, there’s not a big difference between Republicans and Democrats. There’s also not a lot of regional differences within the state. When it comes to support for recreational use for adults, that’s where we start to see some of those more partisan splits,” said Habecker.

The second initiative voters will decide next week doesn’t have to do with recreational marijuana though, but also medical marijuana. Initiative 438 creates a law that makes it legal for registered private entities to possess, manufacture, distribute and deliver cannabis for medical purposes, and creates a Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate those entities.