Nebraska takes public comment on proposed medical cannabis license fees as advocates say patients still lack access

Nebraska's Medical Cannabis Commission held a public hearing Oct. 15 in Lincoln on proposed amendments to its regulations, which would set new application, licensing and renewal fees for the state's medical cannabis program, according to the commission and the Nebraska Examiner.

The Nebraska Examiner reported that the proposal includes a $5,000 application fee, annual license and renewal fees ranging from $10,000 to $28,500 depending on license type, a $1,500 relocation fee and a $13,000 fee to take part in the state's seed-to-sale inventory tracking system. Dispensaries would also pay $250 to license a new product and $100 to renew it. There are currently no fees under the program, the Examiner reported. The amendments would also let certified manufacturers transport cannabis without a separate transporter license, according to the Examiner and KETV.

KETV reported that the hearing, which could have run up to three hours, ended after 19 minutes. Nebraska Public Media reported that about half a dozen people spoke and that only one addressed the regulations themselves. Advocate Crista Eggers told KETV that no health care practitioners in Nebraska are currently giving patients recommendations for medical cannabis, and that she does not expect patients to have access until 2028. KETV also reported that the rules would keep the state's limit of four cultivators, each capped at 1,250 plants, and that only one cultivator has plants in the ground.

Nebraska voters approved the medical cannabis program in 2024, with 71% support, according to KETV and Nebraska Public Media. Commissioners will review the comments before voting on the amendments, which then need approval from the attorney general and the governor, Nebraska Public Media reported. The Examiner reported that the process is expected to stretch into 2027 and that the commission has said it won't license more establishments until the new rules are approved.