OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A group seeking to legalize marijuana for medical use in Nebraska has gathered enough signatures to get the issue before voters in November, the state’s top election official said Friday. Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana announced earlier this year that it had gathered about 114,000 signatures — well more than the approximately 86,000 needed — for each of two petitions: one that would allow marijuana for medical use and the other to regulate the medical marijuana industry in the state.
Signatures must also be collected from 5% of the registered voters in at least 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties to qualify for the ballot. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen said his office has so far verified more than 89,000 signatures for each and that both petitions met the 5% threshold in 51 counties. Evnen said county election officials are still in the process of verifying signatures on the petitions, and so he has not yet certified the ballot measures.
If the count reaches 110% of the total number of signatures needed, officials will stop verifying signatures and certify the petitions for the November ballot. The deadline to certify the November ballot is Sept. 13.
It’s the third effort by Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana to get the issue on the ballot. In 2020, the group came close after meeting signature requirements. But opponents sued, arguing that it violated state rules requiring ballot measures to focus on a single question.
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