As Nebraska officials face criticism over attempts to significantly scale back a voter-approved medical marijuana law, an Native American tribe within the state has now approved its first license for a vertically integrated cannabis operation since approving legalization in its borders earlier this year.
At its first meeting on Monday, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission discussed proposed rules to stand up the tribal marijuana market. They also agreed to license the tribe itself to move forward with next steps in setting up the industry for launch.
The draft rules weren’t adopted at the meeting, but the tribe’s attorney general, John Cartier, said that in time he wants the territory to “stand as a direct contrast to that dysfunction and show that the will of the voters is being respected, at least on the Omaha Reservation.”
“We’re prepared to move forward to grant access to the folks that need help through medical cannabis,” he said.
Under the legalization code that the tribe adopted in July—making it the first to enact such a reform in a state where lawmakers have long resisted the policy change—adults 21 and older can purchase and possess up to an ounce of cannabis as long as they’re on the tribal land.
Arthur Isagholian, a member of the cannabis commission, cautioned at the meeting that, “If you violate rules off of the tribal land and you get caught with product that you purchased on tribal land, you’re kind of on your own,” as NTV reported.
While the tribe approved a vertically integrated license for its own purposes to help streamline the implementation of legalization in the territory, it’s unclear when the regulatory rules will go up for a vote and open up opportunities for legal sales.
The tribe’s license “will be subject, obviously, to our published rules and regulations—but just so the tribe is able to start working towards agreements, equity and funding while we’re hashing this out,” a member said.
The commission will be meeting once a month, and it’s expected that at least some of the proposed regulations will be approved when members come together again in November.
In a press release ahead of Monday’s meeting, the tribe’s attorney general had some choice words for state officials.
“While Nebraska’s process lurches from delay to debate, we’re doing the one thing patients and businesses need—governing,” Cartier said. “On October 27, we give Nebraska a greenlight: clear rules, real oversight, and a workable, well-regulated industry rooted in sovereignty, safety, and common sense.”
“We want to stand as a direct contrast to that dysfunction [at the state level] and show that the will of the voters is being respected, at least on the Omaha Reservation, and we’re prepared to move forward to grant access to the folks that need help through medical cannabis,” he said.
He’s not alone is the criticism. Advocates have strongly pushed back against the state after a governor-appointed panel put forward proposed rules for the medical cannabis market, including prohibitive purchasing limits.
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While the state approved its first medical cannabis business license to a cultivator, there is still no lawful means for patients to access products yet.
Meanwhile, last month Nebraska activists have filed an initiative to legalize marijuana and establish a constitutional right to use cannabis for adult over the age of 21. If organizers collect enough valid signatures from registered voters, it could appear on the 2026 ballot.
The marijuana reform push also comes as the state attorney general is cracking down on sales of intoxicating hemp-derived products, including those containing delta-8 THC.
Las year’s approval of two medical marijuana ballot measures came after an earlier attempt in 2020 gathered enough signatures for ballot placement, but saw the measure invalidated by the state Supreme Court following a single-subject challenge. Supporters then came up short on signatures for revised petitions in 2022 due in large part to the loss of funding after one of their key donors died in a plane crash.
Photo courtesy of California State Fair.
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