Fischer: Keep pot illegal

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, left, visits with Pam Potthoff of Trenton, Nebraska, during a public forum at the Keystone Business Center Tuesday morning. Potthoff is the Nebraska president for Woman Involved in Farm Economics, an organization dedicated to promoting family farmers and ranchers. (Bruce Baker/McCook Gazette)

McCOOK, Neb. -- The legalization of marijuana is a contentious topic in Nebraska and one state legislators will likely resume discussions around in the coming session. One of Nebraska's two representatives in the U.S. Senate made her position clear on the topic earlier this week during a local visit.

"I do not support legalization of marijuana," said U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer during a listening session at the Keystone Business Center Tuesday. Sen. Fischer was responding to a question from an area resident curious about her position on the subject.

Sen. Fischer said she met with law enforcement representatives throughout Nebraska, "and what they shared with me was eye opening." She said marijuana coming over from Colorado was much more potent and available in a variety of forms, including cannabis infused candy such as gummy bears.

"This is dangerous for kids. I'm opposed to it," said Sen. Fischer, reiterating her opposition to legalizing the drug.

Sen. Fischer said it wasn't uncommon for laws to be ignored but it was especially upsetting to her when it was being done by a state.

"Colorado is ignoring federal law," said Sen. Fischer.

Colorado legalized use and limited possession of marijuana in 2012 and local law enforcement officials have indicated during Coffee with a Cop sessions marijuana packaging originating in Colorado is now commonplace in Nebraska.

Nebraska and Oklahoma filed a joint suit against Colorado in U.S. Supreme Court in December of 2014. The lawsuit claims Colorado lacks sufficient "safeguards to ensure marijuana cultivated and sold in Colorado is not trafficked to other states" and the situation is draining treasuries and placing stress on the criminal justice system of other states. The lawsuit is available online at: www.scribd.com/doc/250506006/Nebraska-Oklahoma-lawsuit

Nebraska state legislators passed legislation during the 2015 session authorizing a pilot study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center of low-THC cannabidiol oil for patients with severe epileptic seizures. Another bill, LB 643, would have legalized the use of cannabis for medical treatment and won first-round approval but was ultimately delayed for further debate until the 2016 session.