Nebraska governor slams push for marijuana legalization: It’ll ‘kill your kids’

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) spoke out at a press conference against legislation that would legalize medical marijuana, saying it will “kill your kids.”

“If you legalize marijuana, you’re gonna kill your kids,” Ricketts said Wednesday.

Gov. Pete Ricketts (R-NE): “If you legalize marijuana, you’re gonna kill your kids.” pic.twitter.com/Un9DN2yhtT

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A bill in the legislature’s Judiciary Committee would legalize medical marijuana, but state Sen. Anna Wishart (D) said Wednesday that the Senate won’t have the last say, The Associated Press reported.

Wishart said those advocating for legalizing marijuana will push for a ballot measure if the state doesn’t pass the legislation.

“It is dangerous to go around the established process we have to determine whether or not drugs are safe and effective and why legalizing marijuana and going around the regulatory process to keep people safe is dangerous and going to harm our kids,” the governor said. 

A marijuana legalization measure was going to be on the ballot last year, but Nebraska’s Supreme Court stripped it because of a rule barring multiple issues from being bunched into a single yes-no question. The measure included the subjects of the rights to use and grow marijuana as well as how to regulate it.

Advocates believe they have revised the measure so the court will accept it on the ballot, according to The Associated Press.

A growing number of states have been passing legislation legalizing marijuana for medical or recreational use. 

A bill was passed in February in Virginia that will legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the state in 2024.