But in Lancaster County, the state’s second-largest county, prosecution has been deferred in 37 cases involving possession of less than an ounce of marijuana or possession of drug paraphernalia, including cases involving Husker players Maurice Washington, Myles Farmer and Jeremiah Stovall.

Prenda said that charges weren’t filed in more than 90 other infraction-level marijuana cases because they involved other criminal offenses, such as minor in possession or drunken driving, that resulted in charges.

Lancaster County, which typically uses the State Patrol’s crime lab, has been in touch with UNMC about using its testing capabilities. A UNMC spokesman said the tests should cost about $75.

The patrol’s crime lab, which is used by most law enforcement agencies in the state, is roughly five to six months away from being able to validate and perform the THC tests, according to Col. John Bolduc, the patrol superintendent. It may cost $30,000 to get the lab set up to do the tests, he said.

“As with any new testing procedure, our scientists must work through a validation process to ensure that the test meets the needs associated with criminal investigations,” Bolduc said.