This article outlines the legal battle over Nebraska’s 2024 medical cannabis ballot measures, initiated by John Kuehn, a former state senator and opponent of marijuana legalization.
Kuehn’s lawsuit challenges the validity of nearly 90,000 signatures that were certified by Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen, claiming that many were invalid due to issues like improper notary practices, unregistered voters, and duplicate signatures.
The case is currently before Lancaster County District Court Judge Susan Strong, who plans to rule on whether to dismiss the lawsuit by the end of the following week. Strong emphasized the importance of resolving the case before the November 5 election, although legal challenges could continue post-election.
Kuehn’s lawsuit is the latest in a series of attempts to block medical cannabis initiatives in Nebraska, but supporters of the measure, including State Senator Anna Wishart, Crista Eggers, and former Senator Adam Morfeld, argue that the initiative process was followed correctly.
They view Kuehn’s lawsuit as an attack on Nebraska’s election integrity and the rights of the people.
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is also conducting a broader investigation into alleged fraudulent activity related to the petitions, with at least one person already charged with falsifying signatures.
Despite these challenges, supporters remain hopeful, noting that this is their most successful attempt to get medical cannabis on the ballot, after two previous efforts fell short.
This legal battle could set a significant precedent for future ballot initiatives in Nebraska, particularly in how courts handle signature verification and challenges to petition processes.