Osborne Speaks Out Against Medical Marijuana Legislation

Former Nebraska football coach and congressman Tom Osborne, Lieutenant Governor Mike Foley and others are speaking out against a legislative bill aimed at legalizing medical marijuana in the state.

In a media briefing held in the governor’s hearing room at the Capitol Friday, Osborne and others focused on the risks of using marijuana coupled with statistics of increased crime in states that had legalized the drug for recreational use. Both Osborne and Lieutenant Governor Foley claim Legislative Bill 110 is aimed not just at legalizing medical marijuana in the state but legalizing marijuana in its entirety.

A lack of research into the positive effects of using marijuana medicinally, Osborne says, is also a contributing factor to his opposition. The culture of marijuana, he says, is ultimately negative.

“I think it’s really important to realize the number of young people, and the number of people in the culture in general, that will be impacted in a negative way by this movement," Osborne said. "I call it a movement and not necessarily legislation. So, I think we need to count that cost.”

The bill's lead sponsor, Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart, says the bill would help people who are suffering from debilitating seizures, nausea from cancer treatments and other chronic ailments.

Wishart has promised to launch a statewide ballot campaign if lawmakers don't pass a legalization measure.