Hilgers, 15 state sheriffs send letter to state lawmakers opposing LB677
Nebraska's Attorney General is leading an effort with state law enforcement to oppose a bill aiming to roll out medical marijuana regulation in Nebraska.
By News Channel NebraskaLINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska's Attorney General is leading an effort with state law enforcement to oppose a bill aiming to roll out medical marijuana regulation in Nebraska.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced in a press conference Wednesday morning that him and more than a dozen state sheriffs are sending a letter to the Nebraska Legislature to dissuade senators from passing LB677 and AM1251.
The legislation would pass the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act, and begin allowing medicinal marijuana to be sold and regulated after voters approved the ballot initiative last November.
Hilgers shared many concerns during the press conference including that the new amendment is vague and would allow people to buy up to five ounces of marijuana per day.
He says that would likely lead to misuse by turning a medical drug into recreational use.
"While many people might just use the marijuana they purchase for their own purposes, there will be people, probably not a small number of people that will use that to further the black market, and sell it to their friends, sell it to people in their neighborhoods," said Hilgers. "I'm on the board of pardons, and I've heard story after story after story of people who have been convicted, and that's exactly how they got into the (drug) business in the first place."
The letter sent out Wednesday to the Speaker of the Legislature John Arch has Hilgers' signature as well as the supporting signatures of 15 sheriffs: Neil Miller of Buffalo County, Colin Caudill of Otoe County, Robert Sorenson of Cass County, Dwaine Ladwig of Polk County, Shawn Messerlie of Colfax County, Greg London of Sarpy County, Tom Decker of Dixon County, Mark Overman of Scotts Bluff County, Aaron Hanson of Douglas County, Mike Vance of Seward County, Lynn Lyon of Johnson County, Mike Robinson of Washington County, Terry Wagner of Lancaster County, Paul Vrbka of York County, Brent Lottman of Nemaha County, plus President of the Police Chief Association of Nebraska Kenney Denney.
State lawmakers voted last week to advance LB677 with the AM1251 out of committee, and has still yet to see the floor for the first round of debate.