Let’s pretend for the sake of argument that all members of the Unicameral are intelligent, compassionate human beings. I know some of them really are, but you’ll have to use your imagination for the others.

But let’s assume that for the time being.

As intelligent, compassionate humans, what they are doing this session about regulating medical marijuana is really very dumb. Not only is it really dumb, but it’s just downright mean.

After the voters approved legalizing marijuana for medical purposes, our state senators, under the tutelage of Governor Pillen, Attorney General Hilgers, Senator Ricketts, and a few other rich and powerful people, are still dragging their feet to make it legally available.

Here’s why you must pretend these state senators are smart and compassionate, because the reality would prove otherwise.

Let’s start with the stupid part.

Seventy percent of the voters approved legalizing cannabis to help with issues like epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and chronic pain. SEVENTY PERCENT! You can’t get seventy percent of Nebraskans to agree on anything, but they sure did on this. Even the rural ultra-conservative districts support its legalization and regulation. How dumb do these politicians have to be to go against the will of that many people? Don’t they want to get reelected or further their political careers?

Some state senators are dragging their feet and proposing amendments that go against the vote of the people. They are dragging their feet hoping the session runs out of time and they can continue to kick that can down the road.

But this has gone on long enough. The supporters of Medical Marijuana have overcome every roadblock the opposition has put up. They have jumped over every obstacle and come out on the other end stronger and more organized. The time to get it regulated and in the hands of those who need it is now!!!

Which brings me to the compassionate part. How heartless do you have to be to tell a cancer patient they can’t smoke a little marijuana to ease their pain and get an appetite? How cruel are you to prevent an epileptic from having an edible to help control their seizures? How mean-spirited can you be to keep a Parkinson’s patient from vaping cannabis to make their life more livable?

I would say to the governor, the AG, the state senators, or any voters who are against medical marijuana, if a doctor prescribed it for one of their ailments, they could refuse to fill that prescription. Nobody is forcing them to take it. But why deprive someone who could benefit from it? Are you really that callous?

I honestly didn’t think I’d still be writing about this at this late date. I figured after the election, it was just a formality to work out the details. But I was wrong.

I am right about this, though. The people who are behind the petition drive to get this on the ballot are not going to give up and quietly go away.

These people aren’t radical potheads trying to buy their weed from a dispensary instead of on the street. They aren’t lobbyists with deep pockets offering campaign contributions to get their bills passed. These are parents with sick children. They are adults battling illness. They are compassionate Nebraskans who want to see the state help those who could benefit from a plant.

Nebraska Nice should be more than just a slogan. It should be a way of life. And what some of those in Lincoln are doing this session is just not very nice.

Which is why you have to pretend these people are compassionate. Pretend they are smart. Pretend they are listening to the citizens. Because the reality is they are doing none of that.

But the good news is there is still a little bit of time left for the senators to get their act together. It’s not too late this session to get the regulations in place. But the clock is ticking, and time is running out.

It’s time for the Governor, the AG, Senator Ricketts, and some State Senators to stop pretending that they can stop the inevitable. So we can stop pretending they are smart and compassionate.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

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