'We're not giving up': Push for medical marijuana continues in Nebraska

Nebraskans for medical marijuana were out over the weekend trying to get signatures on two petitions that could put the issue on the November ballot.

It's the latest attempt after the Nebraska Supreme Court barred a measure to legalize medical marijuana back in 2020.

As they kick things into high gear, volunteers and campaign managers say they’re feeling confident.

Crista Eggers is one of the people fighting hard to get medical marijuana on the ballot.

Her 7-year-old son Colton is one of the reasons why.

“He has intractable epilepsy. And so, several years ago, we were faced with the reality that we had exhausted all treatments based on pharmaceutical drugs, you know, surgical options, things like that. And despite everything we've done, Colton has continued to experience seizures,” said campaign manager Crista Eggers.

Eggers believes medical marijuana can help her son and other Nebraskans.

In 2020 the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled the initiative violated the state's single-subject rule.

“It was an absolutely devastating blow to have that supreme court decision made,” Eggers said.

So now they're back to work with signing events like one on Sunday in Omaha.

“Till the end, we're not giving up. Hopefully, everyone in Nebraska will be able to use this,” said volunteer Suzy Dunkleman.

There are two petitions.

One petition would provide criminal protection for anyone over 18 or caregiver who has a written recommendation from a licensed physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner. Anyone under 18 would also need a parent or legal guardian's consent.

The second sets up the manufacturing and distribution of marijuana.

When the ballot initiative was relaunched in October, Gov. Ricketts reaffirmed his stance against medical marijuana saying in a statement 'these new petitions are simply one more effort to allow the multi-billion dollar marijuana industry to establish a foothold in Nebraska.'

Ricketts added the evidence of harm caused by the commercialization of marijuana is quote 'indisputable.'

Eggers says they'll need 87,000 valid signatures on each petition to make it on the ballot.

And she's sure they'll get there.

“I am very, very confident. I hate to you know, put all my eggs in one basket so to speak. But yes,” Eggers said.

The deadline for those signatures is July 7.

Eggers did not have an exact number for how many they have collected so far.

If the petitions do make it onto the ballot Nebraskans would be able to vote on the issue in November.