Two weeks ago, governor of Nebraska Pete Rickets went full throttle Nancy Reagan in his attempt to kill a bill that would make medicinal cannabis legal in his state. It’s worth noting that The governor is more than a little cozy with alcohol and an ardent anti drug warrior. How he squares those two positions is anyone’s guess. On one hand, he profits from a substance that claims 90,000 American lives a year (twice that of the opiate crisis) all the while he floats around like an anachronism, a “tough on crime” governor, overtly lying about cannabis in an attempt to strike fear into the hearts of those who live a bygone era. Really, Governor? Do you do the Macarena while strategizing your message?
His attempt to kill the bill fell flat in spite of saying “this bill will kill kids”. No, no, it won’t Governor, Pete. It might help some kids manage seizures but it won’t kill any. What might kill kids is the product that contributes to you amassing wealth, demon alcohol.
Today the bill passed the judiciary committee on its way to becoming law. Should it land on the governors desk, he will most certainly veto but the writing is in the wall. Welcome to the new cannabis era, salt of the earth midwesterners, like it or not, cannabis is coming to a Norman RockwellIian household near year.
As a bonus, the bill was sponsored by freshman senator, Anna Wishart. Compelled by compassion and hearing of her constituents having to leave the state to treat cancer, epilepsy and other conditions that might be helped by medicinal cannabis, Wishart took a bold step negotiating the male dominated Nebraska state house and she’s winning. Checkmate, Governor Pete, you just got owned by youth, chutzpah, science and common sense. So when you Wishart upon a bud, dreams do come true. Well played, Senator.