With the Nebraska legislature set to begin formal discussion of a bill to legalize medical marijuana, former Nebraska football coach and former Congressman Tom Osborne addressed the issue at a noon news conference.

The remarks came in advance of a Friday afternoon legislative hearing on LB 110 - the measure to legalize marijuana for medical use.

Osborne said, "I made somewhat of a pledge to stay out of the political arena and here I am."

With that, Osborne recalled his coaching days and the notifications that incoming players would receive about marijuana use. He said those who wound up testing positive didn't last long in the football program.

"We had a lot of guys with a lot on the line," and he said even with all that at stake, "they were not able to stay away from marijuana."

Osborne said that based on that, he became convinced that the idea marijuana was not addictive, "was a myth."

The coach said he noticed a lack of motivation and short-term memory among those young athletes who had been linked to marijuana use.

"I hope the people of the state really study the issue," and act accordingly, Osborne said.

In addition to Osborne, there were comments challenging LB 110 from by the Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and concerned citizens.