Nebraska AG Alleges Invalid Signatures on Weed Ballot Petitions
- Nebraska's attorney general raised concerns about potentially invalid signatures in two proposals to legalize medical marijuana in the state, which could prevent the measures from passing.
- A felony charge was announced against an individual in relation to the medical marijuana petitions, with allegations of irregularities in the signature gathering process.
- The group leading the effort to put medical cannabis legalization before voters gathered over 114,000 signatures, well above the required 86,000, and emphasized strict training and accountability for petition circulators.
- Supporters of the measures expressed gratitude that the issue of petition irregularities was being addressed, and affirmed their commitment to ensuring safe and regulated access to medical cannabis for Nebraska patients.
Nebraska's attorney general on Friday said supporters of two proposals to legalize medical marijuana in the state could have submitted "several thousand" invalid signatures to get them on the ballot.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers, a Republican, made the allegation during a news conference on Zoom, and he indicated the alleged invalid signatures could prevent the measures from passing.
During the Zoom call, Hilgers and local prosecutor Martin Klein also announced a felony charge against an individual in relation to the medical marijuana petitions.
"We have identified a number of irregularities," Hilgers said. "Our work is still ongoing."
One of the petitions would allow for the use of medical marijuana in Nebraska, while the other would help regulate the state's medical marijuana industry.
The Associated Press (AP) said Hilgers was questioned about the timing of the announcement, given that it fell on the last day that the secretary of state's office can certify measures for the ballot in November. The attorney general opposes the medical marijuana measures, but he insisted all petitions receive the same vetting process.
According to Hilgers, Secretary of State Bob Evnen was told of the alleged invalid signatures. Hilgers also said a court could eventually block any new medical marijuana laws should they pass due to the issues with signatures.
The person who was charged over fraudulent signatures is reportedly a petition circulator from Grand Island.
Meanwhile, the two measures require about 86,000 signatures to make it to the ballot, and Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana (NMM)—the ballot committee leading the effort to put the legalization of medical cannabis before voters—said they gathered more than 114,000 signatures.
In a statement that addressed Hilgers' press conference, NMM said that it "provides extensive training to all petition circulators."
"Circulators are held to an extremely high standard and are required to strictly follow all legal requirements for collecting signatures," NMM's statement read. "Any circulators caught violating the law should be held accountable for their actions."
The group added that they are "grateful" to the prosecutor and the attorney general "for looking into any petition irregularities and working to protect campaigns and the integrity of the initiative process."
Newsweek reached out to Hilgers' office via email on Friday for further comment.
"Today marks a momentous day for the patients of Nebraska, who are one step closer to safe and regulated medical cannabis access," Crista Eggers, NMM's campaign manager, added in the statement.
She continued, "We are grateful for all of the Nebraskans who have not only supported us, but been the heart and soul of this fight. We look forward to November when the people's voice on this issue will finally be heard."
Dozens of states have already legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational use. Recreational marijuana will be on the ballot in Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota this fall.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.