Judge denies motion to prevent Pillen from advancing medical cannabis ballot initiatives

Lancaster County District Court Judge Susan Strong denied a motion that would have prevented Gov. Jim Pillen from acknowledging and signing the results of two medical marijuana ballot initiatives Wednesday.

Approved by voters in the general election, the initiatives would legalize and regulate medical cannabis.

This lawsuit, filed by former state senator and lobbyist for the anti-big marijuana group Smart Approaches to Marijuana John Kuehn, states that because of the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause, Nebraska cannot legally have medical cannabis as long as it is federally illegal. Because of this, Kuehn and his attorneys requested a temporary restraining order against Pillen, barring him from signing the portion regarding medical cannabis.

Pillen must sign a proclamation acknowledging all of the 2024 election results by Thursday.

After Judge Strong denied the temporary restraining order, she said would not currently rule on the merits of Kuehn’s lawsuit.

"I think everyone would like a chance to more fully research the issues, and we'll deal with those as they are raised by the parties in future motions," she told the Lincoln Journal Star.

More on the debate over medical marijuana in Nebraska:

Verdict of medical cannabis trial may affect those with criminal convictions

Nebraskans voted along long-held political divides, county analysis shows

Medical cannabis trial concludes with closing arguments

Petition circulator, notary and forensic document examiner called to the stand during medical cannabis trial