Hemp-derived delta-8 is legal in Nebraska, but state officials are currently reviewing its legality. Currently, the use, possession, sale, distribution, purchase, and production of delta-8 products are permitted under state law without risk of penalty or prosecution. However, with nearly 20 US states now restricting or banning delta-8 following pressure from the federal government and the DEA, we expect delta-8’s legality in Nebraska hangs in the balance. Pair this with a staunch anti-cannabis state governor and delta-8’s future doesn’t look promising.
Is delta-8 currently legal in Nebraska?
- Delta-8 is legal in Nebraska under state and federal law. The use, possession, sale, distribution, purchase, and production of delta-8 products are permitted without fear of penalty or prosecution.
- However, while law enforcement are not seeking to make arrests over delta-8 possession, state officials are currently reviewing delta-8’s legality.
- Other THC isomers, including delta-10, HHC, and THC-O, are also legal under state law, as is hemp-derived CBD.
- Medical cannabis and recreational marijuana are illegal under state law, despite multiple attempts to legalize them.
Is delta-8 THC legal in Nebraska?
Yes, delta-8 THC is legal in Nebraska under state and federal law, but state officials are still attempting to determine its legality. One such state official is a notorious anti-cannabis governor with a lot of influence on state decisions and proceedings.
According to news reports, Nebraska State Governor Pete Ricketts, who famously stated marijuana legalization would contribute to the killing of kids, requested State Attorney General Doug Peterson to review if delta-8 falls under the state’s definition of marijuana. Marijuana is an illegal controlled substance under Nebraska’s Controlled Substances Act.
If Peterson concludes that delta-8 is an illegal controlled substance, the use, possession, sale, purchase, distribution, and production of delta-8 products in the state will most likely be prohibited under state law.
However, according to recent news reports, Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force LPD Captain Ryan Dale believes delta-8 isn’t a problem in Nebraska and won’t arrest anyone in possession of delta-8 products, stating:
“I don’t know that I would characterize [delta-8] as an issue. To my knowledge, they’re not doing anything illegal.”
For Dale, the biggest issue is differentiating between delta-8 and marijuana, an illegal controlled substance carrying more than the federally legal 0.3% THC. To protect delta-8 users from law enforcement, he recommends taking some precautions:
There’s no legal requirement for how you carry the Delta-8 products, but I would recommend that people keep them in their original packaging and then maybe even keep the receipt with it. It won’t be seized if all signs point to it being delta-8.
Ryan Dale, Narcotics Task Force LPD Captain
Legislative history of delta-8 in Nebraska
Currently, delta-8 THC derived from hemp plants carrying no more than 0.3% THC (by dry weight) is legal following the passing of the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act (LB 657). This bill coincides with the federal Agriculture Improvement Act (2018 Farm Bill), which legalizes hemp production, hemp cultivation, and hemp-derived compounds, including delta-8.
The Nebraska Hemp Farming Act defines hemp as a variety of Cannabis sativa, including viable seeds and all cannabinoids, derivatives, extracts, salts, and acids, with no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. Delta-8 is a cannabinoid in hemp and a derivative of delta-9, meaning it’s currently legal under state law.
Meanwhile, Chapter 28 of Nebraska’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act classifies all marijuana-derived tetrahydrocannabinols as controlled substances, including delta-1 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and delta 3,4 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol. It does not list hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinols, nor does it mention delta-8 in any capacity.
Related: Does Delta-8 THC Get You High?
Buying delta-8 in Nebraska?
Since hemp-derived delta-8 is currently permitted in Nebraska, you can purchase delta-8 products online and through physical retail stores located all throughout the state, but mostly in Lincoln. Many of these online and physical stores sell delta-8 oils, delta-8 gummies, delta-8 flower, and delta-8 vape cartridges.
To legally purchase, use, and possess delta-8 vape products in Nebraska, you must be above the age of 21, as outlined in the Nebraska PACT Act, signed into law on June 30, 2010.
We always recommend buying delta-8 products online. Not only is it convenient, but it’s also an easy way to see if the products you’re purchasing are safe, transparent, and high-quality firsthand.
If you’re not in close proximity to a physical retail store and you’re struggling to find the best online delta-8 vendor, our list of the best delta-8 brands will steer you in the right direction.
Can you travel to Nebraska with delta-8?
Yes, you can travel into Nebraska with delta-8, provided it’s sourced from hemp plants carrying no more than 0.3% THC. Likewise, the hemp-derived delta-8 product(s) in your possession should contain no more than 0.3% THC. If the THC quantity is higher, it’s classified as marijuana-derived. Marijuana and marijuana-derived products are prohibited under state and federal law.
As a general rule, do not cross any US state border with marijuana or marijuana-derived delta-8 in your possession. All marijuana products are federally controlled substances and every state border is governed by the federal government. Traveling from one US state to another with delta-8 in your possession is a federal crime. Depending on the quantity in your possession, you could be prosecuted for trafficking an illegal substance.
Related: Does Delta-8 Show Up on a Drug Test?
Is marijuana legal in Nebraska?
No, recreational cannabis is illegal, and there is no program allowing patients access to medical cannabis.
However, the state decriminalized simple cannabis possession after a controversial voter ballot initiative in 2018, sparing offenders jail time if caught with less than 1 oz of cannabis.
A new initiative to legalize medical cannabis in Nebraska could appear on the state ballot next year if enough signatures are gathered before the July 7, 2022, deadline.
Medical marijuana
Medical marijuana is not legal in Nebraska. The state has no medical cannabis program, despite attempts to establish one. The legal status of medical cannabis in Nebraska means the use, possession, sale, distribution, purchase, cultivation, and production of cannabis for medicinal purposes are prohibited under state law.
In 2015, Bellevue Sen. Tommy Garret introduced Legislature Bill 643 (Cannabis Compassion and Care Act) to the unicameral state legislature. The bill sought to legalize medical cannabis for qualifying patients suffering from serious illnesses, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and hepatitis C. The bill was blocked and eventually died after a Senate filibuster in 2016.
In 2019, Nebraska State Attorney General Douglas J. Peterson argued passing a medical marijuana bill would be unconstitutional and in direct conflict with the federal Controlled Substances Act:
“Creating a state regulatory scheme that would affirmatively facilitate the cultivation, processing, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of federal contraband [medical cannabis] on an industrial scale would frustrate and conflict with the purpose and intent of the CSA. Accordingly, we conclude that the MCA would be preempted by the CSA and would be, therefore, unconstitutional.”
A pair of voter initiatives are attempting to make their way to Nebraska’s 2022 ballot seeking to legalize the sale, production, and distribution of medical cannabis and protect qualifying patients from legal consequences.
Unfortunately, the new 2022 medical cannabis voter initiative is receiving staunch opposition. The Republican governor of Nebraska, Pete Ricketts, is partnering with a leading cannabis prohibitionist group to create TV ads opposing the initiatives, urging voters not to approve medical marijuana legalization.
Recreational marijuana
Like medical cannabis, recreational marijuana is also illegal in Nebraska. However, simple possession of cannabis in small quantities is decriminalized.
First-time offenders caught possessing less than 1 oz of cannabis will not face prison time or have it marked on their criminal record. The state considers simple possession an infraction.
Second and third-time cannabis possession offenses are misdemeanors punishable by up to 5 and 7 days in prison, respectively. Fines of up to $500 might also be handed out.
On July 1, 2021, Senator Justin Wayne of Omaha introduced Nebraska Legislature Resolution 2 (LR2CA), a constitutional amendment that would place recreational cannabis legalization for adults aged 21+ on the 2022 ballot. The amendment bill is currently in the committee stage.
Can you purchase delta-10 THC, THC-O, or HHC in Nebraska?
Yes, you can buy delta-10, THC-O, and HHC products in Nebraska. All three are not listed as controlled substances under the state’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act, meaning their use, possession, sale, distribution, purchase, and production are legal under state law with no risk of penalty or prosecution.
Related: Is Delta-10 Stronger than Delta-8 THC?
Is CBD legal in Nebraska?
Yes, CBD is legal in Nebraska under state and federal law, provided it’s sourced from federally compliant hemp plants carrying no more than 0.3% THC. The legal status of hemp-derived CBD means the use, possession, sale, distribution, purchase, production, and manufacture of hemp CBD products are permitted within the state without fear of penalty or prosecution.
Nebraska legalized the production, cultivation, handling, and transport of hemp and hemp products on May 30, 2019, following the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act (Legal Bill 657), signed into law by Governor Pete Ricketts. The state later implemented the Nebraska Hemp Plan, assigning complete control of hemp production and cultivation to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in 2020.
This law defines hemp as a variety of Cannabis sativa, including the viable seeds of such plant and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, carrying no more than 0.3% THC (by dry weight).
Previously, Nebraska heavily regulated CBD. The state only allowed the University of Nebraska and Nebraska Medicine access to CBD for research and to create a small pilot program after Legislature Bill 390 in 2014.
This bill gave Nebraska medical patients with intractable epilepsy an opportunity to obtain low-THC CBD products in the form of Epidiolex — the first-ever FDA-approved cannabis medication.
CBD derived from marijuana is illegal in Nebraska. The state considers all marijuana compounds as Schedule I controlled substances under its Controlled Substances Act.
Related: CBD vs. Delta-8 THC: What’s the Difference?
Upcoming legislation
There is currently no upcoming legislation that will change the legality of delta-8 THC in Nebraska. However, since the Nebraska State Attorney General is currently reviewing delta-8’s legality in the state, we expect the introduction of new delta-8 bills in 2022.
Conclusion
Despite Nebraska’s poor history with cannabis, hemp-derived delta-8 is still legal, with no sign of law enforcement making arrests for the use, possession, sale, or production of delta-8 products. Right now, this is great news if you’re a keen delta-8 user. You can enjoy delta-8 products freely without fear of prosecution.
However, be under no illusion. State officials are not cannabis-friendly, and they certainly aren’t fond of intoxicating substances. We expect delta-8 to come under some scrutiny once the state’s attorney general finishes reviewing the legality of delta-8.
