Medical cannabis cultivation officially begins in Nebraska

Nebraska authorities have just authorized the first medical cannabis production facility to begin growing plants.

During a meeting of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission On June 23, the commissioners unanimously approved the positive results of the inspection of MahāMotā Cultivation Company, located in Raymond. This authorization allows the company to officially begin cultivation, making it the first licensed operator to plant cannabis seedlings under Nebraska’s new regulatory framework.

Nebraska Approved Access to Medical Cannabis through a citizens' initiative in 2024.

Regulatory and zoning obstacles are slowing down other operators

While the MahāMotā Cultivation Company has received the green light, other growers continue to face administrative and regulatory hurdles.

One of them, KRL Med LLC, owned by former State Senator Kent Rogert, saw its project delayed following a dispute with local authorities in Washington County. According to Mr. Rogert, the company was preparing for a state inspection when county officials reversed a previous interpretation of zoning regulations, ruling that medical cannabis cultivation could not qualify for an agricultural exemption.

«With every day that passes, we're wasting time,» Mr. Rogert told the commissioners at Monday's meeting.

The company is currently appealing a work stoppage order that has suspended development of its cultivation site and greenhouse. Despite this setback, the commissioners have renewed KRL Med’s license for an additional six months, signaling their willingness to allow the project to continue if the local issues are resolved.

Another licensed grower, Meadowlark Medicinals, has postponed its inspection, while Midwest Cultivator Group has been granted permission to relocate its planned operation from Omaha to Gretna after obtaining local approval.

Nebraska Opens Applications for Manufacturers

Alongside developments in the cultural sector, the committee voted to open the application process for the manufacturers of medical cannabis products effective June 25.

Under current regulations, Nebraska may issue up to four manufacturing licenses, as well as licenses for distributors and dispensaries. The commissioners have decided to move forward with the application process even though the final regulations have not yet been finalized.

Commissioner Jim Elworth argued that further delaying the applications could hinder the development of this emerging industry in the state.

«I'm just very worried about having to wait that long again,» Mr. Elworth said.

Applicants must first submit their application before paying the license fees and complying with any regulatory updates adopted later in the process.

Political tensions continue to surround medical cannabis

Despite this progress, the’The Future of Medical Cannabis Regulation in Nebraska remains subject to political approval at the state level.

In April, the commissioners approved an official set of regulations and forwarded them to the Attorney General Mike Hilgers, a longtime opponent of the legalization of medical cannabis. These rules still need to be signed by him and approved by the governor Jim Pillen, before becoming final.

This delay has become an increasingly important political issue as the 2026 elections approach. The Democratic candidate for attorney general, Jocelyn Brasher, who attended the committee meeting, criticized what she described as persistent obstacles to implementation.

«Today's meeting made one thing clear: the residents and patients in Nebraska »They deserve better than the delays, confusion, and dysfunction that currently characterize Attorney General Mike Hilgers« tenure,» Ms. Brasher said after the meeting. “As attorney general, I will uphold the will of the people and respect the choice of Nebraska voters regarding medical cannabis.”