Collecting signatures for medical marijuana petitions

NORFOLK, Neb. -- Last year, Nebraska shot down a ballot measure to legalize medical marijuana.

"Marijuana is not a partisan issue [...] this issue is about helping the sick and disabled people in Nebraska," Madison County Coordinator Andrew Hemmer said. "To be honest most of the signatures we've gotten in this county have been Republican."

That's why this year, Nebraskans For Medical Marijuana like Andrew Hemmer are not giving up; instead, the group is showing up Downtown Norfolk at the first of many gatherings to collect thousands of signatures for two petitions. The group was gathering signatures outside of Smokin' Deals all day Saturday until 7 p.m.

The group will be outside of Eternal Tattoo in Columbus Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Kahzryn Schmidt is one of the advocates for the two petitions who showed up Saturday in Norfolk.

"I was actually born with a disability [...] I am utterly so thankful for the people like Andy," said Schmidt, who had her legs amputated and is hoping to be prescribed marijuana for her spasms and anxiety. 

One of the petitions would provide criminal protection for adults to use medically-prescribed marijuana; the other would define the manufacturing and distribution through a State Liquor Control Commission.

"I cannot express how grateful I am for people like Andy and this effort," she said. 

Each petition needs at least 87,000 signatures to qualify for the 2022 ballot. The deadline to send them in is next summer.