{"id":82259,"date":"2025-07-16T08:57:43","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T16:57:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2025\/07\/16\/indian-tribe-in-nebraska-votes-to-legalize-marijuana-for-recreational-and-medical-use-effective-immediately\/"},"modified":"2025-07-16T19:47:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T03:47:59","slug":"indian-tribe-in-nebraska-votes-to-legalize-marijuana-for-recreational-and-medical-use-effective-immediately","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2025\/07\/16\/indian-tribe-in-nebraska-votes-to-legalize-marijuana-for-recreational-and-medical-use-effective-immediately\/","title":{"rendered":"Indian Tribe In Nebraska Votes To Legalize Marijuana For Recreational And Medical Use, Effective Immediately"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are asserting our sovereign right to govern, protect our community and build a sustainable economy that reflects our values.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

By Zach Wendling, Nebraska Examiner<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska became the first government in Nebraska on Tuesday to fully legalize and seek to regulate both medicinal and adult recreational-use cannabis.<\/p>\n

The Omaha Tribe of Nebraska announced the \u201chistoric\u201d decision Tuesday, touting a unanimous vote of the Omaha Tribal Council that it said in a statement positions the tribe as a \u201ctrailblazer\u201d in state cannabis reform. The approval also seeks to have the Omaha Tribe reclaim its \u201crightful place as a leader in regional governance and economic innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Omaha Tribe is not waiting on broken systems to deliver,\u201d Omaha Tribe of Nebraska Attorney General John Cartier said in a statement. \u201cWe are asserting our sovereign right to govern, protect our community and build a sustainable economy that reflects our values.\u201d<\/p>\n

The law immediately took effect Tuesday.<\/p>\n

\u2018Creating real opportunity\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

The new Title 51 Cannabis Control Code of the Omaha Tribal Code establishes extensive licensing, advertising, testing, enforcement, education, seed-to-sale tracking and other requirements, according to a copy shared with Nebraska Examiner.<\/p>\n

The law states the cannabis plant has been on the continent for centuries and that Indigenous people have long used plant-based substances for healing, spiritual and ceremonial purposes. Tribal leaders hope to generate revenue and create employment while investing in health, education, housing and infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Cartier said the new tribal law expunges prior cannabis offenses that would now be legal, with a \u201crobust social equity framework\u201d meant to repair harms of past criminalization.<\/p>\n

Tribal sovereignty is a focal point in advancing these changes. The code explicitly states that any attempt by state or local authorities to try to assert jurisdiction over lawful tribal licensees or cannabis activity on tribal lands would be considered a violation of tribal sovereignty.<\/p>\n

If necessary, the tribe will pursue legal remedies to uphold its sovereignty.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not just about cannabis,\u201d Omaha Tribal Chairman Jason Sheridan said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s about creating real opportunity for our people, asserting our sovereignty and showing the region what tribal leadership looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\u2018Comprehensive and forward-looking\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Among the code\u2019s components is creating the Omaha Cannabis Regulatory Commission, a commission of at least three members and up to five, with flexibility for more if needed.<\/p>\n

Up to one ounce of cannabis for adults 21 and older is legalized to be possessed or purchased on Omaha Tribe lands, unless a different amount is approved by the regulatory commission.<\/p>\n

The commission could create incentives for tribal members or set different possession and purchase limits depending on whether someone is a member of the Omaha Tribe.<\/p>\n

Tribal leaders approved excise taxes on cannabis products of up to a 15 percent retail excise tax on the gross sales price to consumers and up to a five percent wholesale or transfer tax on the fair market value of products transferred between licensees or from producers to retailers.<\/p>\n

Under the law, a portion of cannabis tax revenue can be allocated to support low-income patients or to establish a Cannabis Patient Access Fund. The commission will prioritize patients who are tribal members with chronic or life-limiting conditions; youth, elders and veterans in need of compassionate care and patients underserved by state or federal systems.<\/p>\n

The new Tribal Code says the aim of Title 51 is to:<\/p>\n