Press Releases

Washington, DC / Lincoln, NE — On Monday, February 16, at 10:00 AM CT, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana and Americans for Safe Access (ASA) will convene patients, advocates, and state policymakers for a press briefing on Nebraska’s unprecedented exclusion from federal medical cannabis protections in the FY2026 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill.

Despite voters approving medical cannabis in 2024, Nebraska was excluded from the longstanding Medical Marijuana CJS Amendment, which has protected state programs, patients, and providers from federal enforcement since 2014. Advocates warn that this omission leaves Nebraska’s program legally exposed and puts patient access at serious risk.

“Before Congress enacted the CJS protections, patients and their providers lived under constant threat of federal enforcement,” said Steph Sherer, Founder and Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access. “Nebraska is now being pushed back into that dangerous territory. This is the first time a newly authorized state has been left out since these protections were enacted.”

Advocates warn that Nebraska represents a dangerous precedent in federal medical cannabis policy. It is not only the first state to pass a medical cannabis law and then be excluded from CJS protections, but also the first where a sitting U.S. senator—Pete Ricketts—has actively worked to block implementation. Nebraska is also one of just 11 states without a fully operational program as new federal hemp restrictions approach.

Together, these factors reflect expanding federal intrusion into state health policy and raise serious concerns that voter approval alone may no longer guarantee patient access.

“For patients, this isn’t abstract policy—it’s whether we will ever see this law implemented,” said Crista Eggers, Executive Director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana. “Without federal protections, no responsible provider is going to risk applying for a license in Nebraska. That means patients who fought for this law may never see access to their medicine through a state program. We’re being set up to fail before we even get started.”

For families, the consequences are immediate and personal.

“My family has done everything right,” Eggers continued. “We fought to get medical cannabis on the ballot. We followed the rules. We did everything asked of us. Now, even with a majority of Nebraskans standing with us, we’re being told that doesn’t matter. My child’s health isn’t political. His medicine shouldn’t be either.”

Advocates note that Nebraska’s exclusion comes despite more than a decade of bipartisan support for the CJS protections. Since 2014, the amendment has served as a critical safeguard while Congress debated permanent reform. Its absence now exposes patients, providers, and caregivers to legal uncertainty, enforcement risks, and market instability. The omission was especially concerning given that Senator Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, did not introduce a corrective amendment.

With new federal hemp restrictions set to take effect in November 2026, advocates warn that Nebraska patients could soon be left without any lawful source for their cannabinoid medicines.

This briefing is designed to highlight the real-world consequences of federal inaction, document Nebraska’s growing access crisis, and reinforce the urgent need for comprehensive national medical cannabis legislation.

“If Nebraska is the new ground zero, patients need federal leaders who will commit—clearly and publicly—to protecting access and advancing real federal reform, not politicians who gamble with people’s health,” Sherer added. “We are challenging everyone running for federal office to take the Compassionate Candidate Pledge ahead of the 2026 elections and show voters they are ready to step up for patients when they arrive in Washington.”

Press Briefing Details

When: Monday, February 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM CT
Where: Virtual Press Briefing

AVAILABLE ON ASA'S YOUTUBE, WATCH NOW! 

Speakers

Crista Eggers
Executive Director, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana; Patient and Caregiver Advocate

Dominic Gillen
Parent and Medical Cannabis Advocate

Senator John Cavanaugh
Nebraska State Senator; Medical Cannabis Policy Champion; Candidate for U.S. Congress, District 2

Dan Osborn 

U.S. Navy Veteran, Independent Candidate for Nebraska U.S. Senate Seat

Steph Sherer
Founder and Executive Director, Americans for Safe Access

Press Contact: [email protected]

Additional resources:

Download the Americans for Safe Access February 2026 Congressional Briefing