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

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Tensions ran high at a town hall meeting on Monday as voters voiced their opinions on medical marijuana.

After Nebraskans overwhelmingly approved the legalization and regulation of medical cannabis, lawmakers are now working to put rules into place.

Several state legislators listened to angry testimony at Southeast Community College’s campus ahead of debate on Legislative Bill 677.

SEE ALSO: Election law complaint filed over challenge to Nebraska medical marijuana ballot initiatives

“We know what we voted for — we passed it,” said one woman. “With all due respect, we don’t need your committee to rewrite what the people have already decided. We need you to honor it.”

That sentiment was shared by the dozens of people who went to the town hall.

LB 677 would not allow patients to smoke marijuana but does allow them to use a vape or an edible.

SEE ALSO: Nebraskans express frustrations with lawmakers on People’s Day at the people’s house

The bill also lays out the medical conditions that would qualify a patient for medical marijuana, including cancer, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

It does not include post-traumatic stress disorder.

But Edward Williams, a disabled veteran, said PTSD needs to be added to the list.

“PTSD often manifests itself in uncontrollable nightmares,” Williams said. “But only smoking and vaping gives you immediate relief instead of waking up with a nightmare and waiting maybe an hour or more for an edible.”

SEE ALSO: Nebraska judge reinstates charges against notary in medical marijuana petition case

There’s another rule included in LB 677 that states a doctor must have treated their patient for at least six months before recommending medical cannabis.

But one woman said her mother moved across the state and got a new physician right before she got a terminal cancer diagnosis.

So even if medical marijuana would have been legal at the time, her mom would not have had access to it.

SEE ALSO: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen signs two proclamations certifying medical marijuana

“Her pain was never under control,” Jill Heese said.

Heese said her mother was on fentanyl patches and morphine, but the side effects made it difficult on the entire family during the last few weeks of her life.

“I don’t know if marijuana could have helped her, but it would have been nice to have some other options for the pain that she was going through,” Heese said.

SEE ALSO: Judge denies request to block Pillen proclamations on medical marijuana initiatives

Every single testifier tried to appeal to the senators, saying that if 71% of voters approved medical marijuana, lawmakers should not be regulating it so heavily.

But some said they don’t believe the town hall will change anything.

“We’re hoping, but we’re still skeptical on our senators being able to accomplish anything on medical cannabis,” Williams said.

SEE ALSO: New lawsuit claims Nebraska’s medical marijuana initiatives are unconstitutional