Nebraska Left Out of Federal Medical Cannabis Protections: Advocates to Host Virtual Press Briefing

WHAT: Virtual Press Briefing on Nebraska’s Exclusion from Federal Medical Cannabis Protections

WHEN: Monday, February 16, 2026 10:00am CT

WHO: Representatives from Americans for Safe Access and Nebraska policy experts and advocates.

WHERE: Virtual Event (Registration Required)

We have been alerted that Nebraska was left out of the FY2026 Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Amendment, the long-standing federal provision that prohibits the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from interfering with state-authorized medical cannabis programs. Since 2014, the amendment has protected patients, providers, and state programs from federal prosecution and enforcement. Nebraska’s omission marks the first time a newly authorized medical cannabis state has not been included in these protections.

"For over a decade, top state officials alongside Senator Pete Ricketts have fought medical cannabis at every turn, and now he and Nebraska’s entire federal delegation has allowed our state to be excluded from critical protections. Voters made their mandate clear in 2024, and now Nebraskans have been left vulnerable because their leaders refuse to respect it," said Crista Eggers, NMM's Executive Director.

On Monday, February 16th, at 10:00 a.m. CT, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) will join Nebraska policy experts in a virtual press briefing hosted by Americans for Safe Access (ASA). The briefing will outline what Nebraska’s exclusion means for patients and providers, and why it creates new and serious federal vulnerabilities at the very moment the state is attempting to implement the voter-approved medical cannabis program passed in 2024.