‘Patients need relief’: Some Nebraskans upset as medical cannabis faces new setbacks

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Medical Cannabis Commission heard from frustrated Nebraskans on Tuesday, a day after two commissioners resigned.

Protesters gathered outside of the public hearing, holding signs that read “Will of the people, not Pillen.”

Testifiers begged the commissioners to listen to what Nebraskans want.

“I pray that God uses someone in this room to get through your hardened hearts,” Lia Port said.

The commission is down to only three members now after Bruce Bailey and Kim Lowe resigned on Monday.

SEE ALSO: Gov. Jim Pillen accepts two resignations from Nebraska Liquor Control Commission

Gov. Jim Pillen called on the pair to step down. Bailey and Lowe were part of both the Liquor Control and the Medical Cannabis commissions.

The two of them were also on a subcommittee and were helping evaluate applications sent in by businesses who want to grow and distribute medical marijuana.

Those evaluations were going to be presented on Tuesday.

“Commissioners Bailey and Lowe were two of the members of the three-person evaluation team,” said commissioner Dr. Monica Oldenburg.

She said the team was made up of multiple people so the commission could hear more than one opinion on the applications.

“As a result, the applications were unable to be evaluated prior to this meeting,” she said. “We need to designate a new evaluation team so the commission can keep the licensure process moving forward.”

Those evaluations are now pushed back to Oct. 7.

Troy Burgess owns Ogre Village of Nebraska, a dispensary in Lincoln.

He voiced his frustrations over how long this process has taken so far.

SEE ALSO: ‘We know what we voted for’: Angry Nebraskans address lawmakers on medical marijuana

It’s been nearly 11 months since voters overwhelmingly approved the legalization and regulation of medical marijuana.

Burgess said it will likely be many more before patients have access to any products.

“Patients need relief,” he said. “We need to get it to them. We can work out some of the details later, but we’ve got to make a decision as to what we want to do as a group. People wanted this; patients need it.”

Many people also called attention to the most recent emergency regulations passed by the commission.

The new rules would not allow patients to have any smoking, vaping or edible marijuana products.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission passes emergency regulations pending Pillen approval

“Some of the ideas that I’ve heard come out of this committee are just silly, guys,” Amy Burgess said. “I mean, come on. You’re dealing with outdated beliefs and outdated morals.”

Burgess said her 20-year-old daughter suffers from tics and seizures, which can be painful.

She said smoking or vaping can help stop her symptoms immediately.

The Medical Cannabis Commission will hold another public hearing on Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. in the Nebraska State Office Building.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska judge tosses suit challenging constitutionality of medical marijuana initiatives