Minnesota Cannabis License Approved? Get Expert Help to Launch Your Operation.
Wondering how to open a dispensary in Nebraska? On this guide, you will find up-to-date information on cannabis dispensary business opportunities in the state and also insightful forecasts regarding what the future may hold for the state.
On November 5, 2024, Nebraska voters approved two medical cannabis ballot initiatives, Initiatives 437 and 438, laying the groundwork for a regulated medical marijuana program. While these initiatives mark a historic step forward, the program is not yet operational and still requires formal implementation through regulatory action and potential legislative support.
Initiative 437 received 70.7% support, allowing qualified patients with a health practitioner’s recommendation to use, possess, and acquire up to 5 ounces of cannabis for medical purposes. This measure also permits caregivers to assist patients with medical cannabis use.
Initiative 438, which gained 66.9% support, removes state penalties for registered entities handling medical cannabis. It also establishes the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee and regulate cannabis-related activities across the state.
On November 26th, 2024, Lancaster County District Judge ruled that Nebraska’s medical cannabis ballot initiatives met legal requirements, despite challenges over alleged invalid signatures and errors. The ruling moves the state closer to legalizing medical cannabis, with election results set for certification on December 2, 2024, though an appeal is under consideration.
On May 20th, 2025, Nebraska’s unicameral legislature failed to advance LB 677, a bill to implement the voter-approved medical marijuana program. Lawmakers fell 10 votes short of breaking a filibuster, leaving regulatory details unresolved and no new dispensary licenses authorized this session. Governor Jim Pillen announced that the state’s new Medical Cannabis Commission would proceed with drafting regulations despite the lack of legislative guidance or funding – a move complicated by the Attorney General’s threat to sue if the commission issues any licenses without explicit legislative approval. As a result, prospective cannabis businesses in Nebraska face continued uncertainty, with licensing unlikely before October 2025 at the earliest.
On June 9th, 2025, Nebraska’s newly formed Medical Cannabis Commission convened its inaugural meeting as it works to roll out the state’s voter-approved medical marijuana program. Commissioners face a July 1st, 2025 deadline to establish licensing criteria and must begin issuing medical cannabis licenses by October 1st, 2025. This timeline, set in motion by a 2024 ballot initiative, means Nebraska will soon open applications for medical cannabis businesses. The fast-tracked schedule, with emergency regulations likely, signals that prospective dispensaries and producers in Nebraska should prepare for an accelerated licensing process in the coming months.
On June 26th, the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission approved emergency regulations restricting the sale of smokable, vapable, flavored, and edible cannabis products. The rules limit dispensaries to one per judicial district, including just one each for Omaha and Lincoln, and prohibit locations within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, or hospitals. Despite being required by law to meet a July 1st deadline, the commission has yet to publish licensing procedures or launch a functional website.
Despite previous setbacks, advocates continued their efforts to legalize medical cannabis in Nebraska. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM) submitted ballot language on May 18, 2023, marking their third attempt. To avoid repeating past issues, they proposed two separate initiatives which aimed to regulate the industry. They needed to collect 200,000 valid signatures by July 5, 2024. By July 4, 2024, activists had submitted over 114,000 signatures for each initiative, prioritizing the requirement to gather signatures from at least five percent of voters in 38 counties. On August 30, 2024, Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced that the two initiatives had met signature requirements to qualify. On September 13th, Evnen certified the two ballot measures for the November 2024 election, where voters decided on legalizing medical cannabis.
On October 9th, 2024, a press release projected that if medical cannabis sales begin by mid-2026, Nebraska could generate over $925 million in economic activity by 2030. The analysis estimates over 56,000 patient registrations by 2028, rising to 93,000 by 2030, with sales surpassing $152 million by 2030.
Nebraska’s cannabis laws have evolved to allow limited medical use under strict regulations, primarily through two key initiatives: Initiative 437 and Initiative 438.
Initiative 437 – Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act
Initiative 438 – Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act
The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission is responsible for developing specific rules and eligibility criteria for cannabis business registrations. By July 1, 2025, the commission is expected to finalize these criteria, allowing prospective business owners to apply for registration. Registration approvals will begin no later than October 1, 2025, giving businesses time to prepare for compliance with Nebraska’s forthcoming regulations.
At this stage, details on Nebraska’s medical cannabis business opportunities are limited. As the commission finalizes its rules and registration processes, more concrete information will emerge regarding business requirements, eligibility standards, and categories of cannabis establishments. Once these rules are made public, we will update this section to provide the latest guidance on entering Nebraska’s medical cannabis industry.
While waiting, you can check our guide on how to open a dispensary to get a general idea. You can also check our guide on how much it costs to open a dispensary.
To stay up to date with important developments and gain access to relevant news regarding Nebraska legalization, we encourage you to subscribe to our Cannabis Mailing List. By doing so, you will receive comprehensive coverage on a range of subjects, including:
To gain access, simply complete the fields below.
How To Open A Dispensary In New York (2025 Guide) Key Takeaways Medical Marijuana in New York: Legal since 2014, New York’s medical marijuana program allows patients with qualifying conditions
How To Open a Dispensary in Kentucky Key Takeaways Medical Marijuana in Kentucky: Kentucky has legalized medical marijuana for patients with qualifying conditions. Recreational Marijuana in Kentucky: Recreational marijuana remains
How to Open a Dispensary in Delaware Delaware Key Takeaways Medical Marijuana in Delaware: Delaware legalized medical marijuana in 2011, allowing patients with qualifying conditions to obtain cannabis through state-licensed
