This fall, Nebraskans, we hope, will at last get the opportunity to vote to approve the use of medical marijuana in the state.
Barring a Nebraska Supreme Court decision that would disqualify signatures on the initiative petitions and thereby remove them from the ballot, that approval will require votes for two initiatives.
Initiative 437 would enact legal protections for doctors who recommend cannabis to their patients, as well as protections for patients who use cannabis for medical reasons.
Initiative 438 would make the industry surrounding medical cannabis — the production, supply and distribution — legal in Nebraska.
Together those initiatives would allow the prescription and use of cannabis in the state, providing Nebraskans treatment for multiple medical conditions that is already available in 38 states, with five more allowing the use of CBD oil and two more allowing some access.
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A National Academy of Sciences report found “conclusive or substantial evidence” that cannabis is effective for the treatment of chronic pain, nausea and vomiting and multiple sclerosis, as well as evidence that it is effective in improving sleep, anxiety, PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
And, years of experience in other states — California voters approved medical marijuana in 1996 — have shown few of the adverse societal effects, including abuse of the program, feared by opponents.
The Journal Star editorial board has long supported legislative efforts to approve the use of medical marijuana in the state. Because the Legislature has failed to act on those measures, we urge the “second house” to vote in favor of Initiatives 437 and 438.
Vote for paid sick leave
About 35% of full-time and 77% of part-time workers in Nebraska received no paid sick leave in 2021.
That finding by the Nebraska Department of Labor illustrates the need for Initiative Measure 436, a ballot measure that would make paid sick leave mandatory for all full-time, part-time and temporary employees.
Specifically, under the measure, Nebraska employers with fewer than 20 workers must offer at least five days of paid sick leave per year, or one hour for every 30 hours worked. Employers with 20 or more workers must offer at least seven days per year. The requirements would take effect in October 2025.
If approved, Nebraska would join 15 other states and Washington, D.C., with laws mandating some amount of paid sick time.
A 2021 legislative bill that would have required paid sick leave was opposed by the Lincoln, Omaha and state chambers of commerce, as well as groups representing bankers, grocers, retailers and restaurants, which argued that the measure would complicate business and raise costs.
The majority of employers who provide sick leave have, clearly, figured out any complications and expense issues created by giving their employees leave. And the benefits of that leave are incalculable.
The Journal Star Editorial Board endorses the passage of Initiative 436.
About our endorsements
As with all of our editorial board opinions, our election endorsements don’t necessarily reflect the unanimous opinions of our members but rather a consensus. We arrive at them after reviewing news stories and research. While we consider the board an advocate for the community, our endorsements, and all our opinions, are intended to initiate discussion.
