Nebraska OKs medical cannabis use, Dakotas reject adult-use

Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana Tuesday while the neighboring Dakotas rejected broader legalization efforts.

The Nebraska medical initiatives passed decisively with Initiative 437 securing 70.7% approval and Initiative 438 garnering 66.9% support, according to Associated Press election results. The companion measures will allow patients to use marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation while creating a state commission to regulate production and sales.

“Today’s decision marks the end of unnecessary delays and the beginning of a modern medical cannabis program,” said John Mueller, CEO of Greenlight Dispensary, which heavily backed the Nebraska campaign. The company operates dispensaries across several Midwestern states.

BREAKING: Nebraska has voted to legalize medical cannabis!

— Marijuana Policy Project (@MarijuanaPolicy) November 6, 2024

Dakotas

However recreational marijuana faced stronger opposition in the Dakotas. North Dakota voters rejected Measure 5 by 52.5% with 99% of the votes in as of press time, marking the state’s third failed attempt at adult-use legalization since 2018. Similar efforts saw defeats in 2022 and 2018, though the state did approve medical marijuana in 2016.

South Dakota also rejected Initiated Measure 29, with 56.5% voting against allowing adults 21 and older to grow, possess and distribute cannabis. That’s now the third failed attempt at recreational legalization, following a 2022 measure that gained only 47% support and a 2020 initiative that passed but was later overturned through a lawsuit backed by Gov. Kristi Noem.

“While we respect the voters’ decision, this was a missed opportunity,” said Mueller, whose company also runs four dispensaries in South Dakota. “The illicit market will persist, depriving the state of tax revenue and leaving consumers without tested, regulated products.”

The results came shortly after Florida voters rejected recreational marijuana despite majority support. The measure gained 55.9% approval but soundly fell short of the 60% threshold needed for constitutional amendments. Florida giant Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (OTC: TCNNF), which bankrolled the effort, poured over $140 million in what became the most expensive legalization campaign to date. Operators will now focus on the medical-only market in the meantime.