The marijuana measure towards the legalization and sale of medical marijuana is popular amongst Nebraska voters, but faces pushback from well-connected Republican leaders.

The Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen backed the ballot that would give constitutional rights to use and grow medical marijuana (from doctor recommendations), with no restrictions on the medical condition. It would also allow patients the ability to grow “adequate” supplies of marijuana freely. The only limitation would be a ban on smoking in public places.

While Nebraskans have confidence the measure will withstand legal challenges, the opposition includes some well-connected Republicans, like Mark Fahleson and Gov. Pete Ricketts, having issues of contention.

Attorney and fellow Republican Party Chair Mark Fahleson wrote in a letter to Secretary Bob Evnen deeming the medical legalization provision a violation of the state constitution and suggests a rejection before going to a vote. “We request that you withhold this legally insufficient measure from the ballot,” he said with the Associated Press. The letter questioned the right to cannabis for medical purposes and private companies being allowed to grow and sell.

Under his column titled “Marijuana is a Dangerous Drug,” Gov. Pete Ricketts, writes “While attempts to circumvent the FDA review process may be driven by goodwill, any legalization effort outside this process puts Nebraskans at risk. For this reason, marijuana should not receive special treatment.” in regards to the measure.

Nebraskans are enthusiastic about the vote. The petition to get on the ballot had 190,000 petition signatures from 93 counties. In support, Senator Adam Morfeld tweeted, “Over 190,000 Nebraskans exercised their constitutional right to put medical marijuana on the ballot, and we will do everything to protect their right to be heard!”

Some critics responded with the controversy of not including gambling measures on the ballot.

A positive step towards medical legalization could also mean decriminalization and racial disparity amongst the state. The ACLU reports in their latest report “A Tale of Two Countries: Racially Targeted Arrests In The Era Of Marijuana Reform,” which tracks marijuana possession arrests from 2010 to 2018. “Black people were three times more likely than white people to be arrested for marijuana possession in Nebraska, even though Black and white people use marijuana at similar rates.” Regarding arrest rates, it reported marijuana accounted for almost half of all drug arrests in Nebraska for 2018 alone.

As for the future of affected Nebraskans, the verdict will be determined in November. If voted for, marijuana still has an uphill battle of finding common ground between both oppositions, especially when the ones against, are in political offices. Nebraska having the conversation of any form of legalization is a step in the right direction. However, the small resistance to minimal strides shows how much more difficult it’ll be towards fruition.