Deputy Solicitor General Zach Viglianco, left, gives an opening statement on the first day of the civil trial to determine the validity of the medical marijuana ballot measures at the Lancaster County Courthouse on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Lincoln. (Kenneth Ferriera-Pool/Lincoln Journal Star)
LINCOLN — The trial over Nebraska’s two medical cannabis ballot measures began Tuesday with a broad examination into notary publics, citizen-led initiatives and the different groups that have reviewed the petition signatures.
The case in Lancaster County District Court involves two petitions from the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana campaign that would legalize and regulate medical cannabis . Both petitions remain on the Nov. 5 ballot, but if this week’s legal challenges are successful, that could invalidate the election results. The trial picks back up Thursday.
The medical marijuana campaign needs 86,499 valid signatures . Nearly 90,000 signatures were verified on each petition.