Get local stories sent straight to your inbox as news breaks.

Hide Transcript Show Transcript

WEBVTT >> HIS BODY STIFFENS, CONVULSES. HIS EYES ROLLS BACK. ANDREW: CHRISTA EGGERS DESCRIBES THE HORROR OF WATCHING HER FOUR-YEAR-OLD SON SUFFER COUNTLESS SEISURES. THE DRUGS THAT DON’T WORK THE -- THE HORRIBLE DECISION SHE AND OTHERS IN THE STATE FACE WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESSING MEDICAL CANNABIS. >> WHY SHOULD I BE FORCED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN SAVING MY SON AND BEING PROSECUTED? ANDREW: SHE AND OTHER SUPPORT LB 110. IT WOULD ALLOW THE SALE AND MANFACTURING OF MEDICAL CANNABIS. PATIENTS WOULD NEED HAVE WRITTEN CERTIFCATION BY A HEALTH CARE PRACTICTIONER AND POSSESS UP TO -- CAN ONLY POSSESS UP TO A MONTH’S SUPPLY OR GROW UP TO SIX PLANTS. THE BILL’S INTRODUCER SAYS THE MEASURE WOULD SET UP REGULATIONS AND TESTING OF PRODUCTS. SO THAT WHAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING IS AS HIGH QUALITY AS IT CAN BE. ANDREW: ON THE OTHER SIDE FORMER HUSKER FOOTBALL COACH TOM OSBORNE. >> THE IDEA MARIJUANA IS NOT ADDICTIVE IS A MYTH. IT’S NOT DANGEROUS IS A MYT ANDREW: OSBORNE HAS SEEN THE AFFECTS FIRST HAND WORKING WITH ATHLETES AND MENTORING YOUNG PEOPLE. >> I WAS NOT ASKED TO COME. I VOLUNTEERED TO COME BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE. ANDREW: HE AND OTHERS ARE CONCERNED LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA WILL LEAD TO ABUSE AN -- AND EVENTUALLY, RECREATIONAL APPROVAL. >> WE’VE ALREADY READY THE SCRIPT, WE’VE READ THE PLAYBOOK FROM OTHER STATES. REPORTER: MARY HILTON UNDERSTANDS THE DESPERATION. HER 19-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER GRACE HAS AS MANY AS 40 SEISURES A DAY. BUT, LEGALIZING A FEDERALLY UNPROVED DRUG IS DANGEROUS. >> I SEE IT AS PUTTING THE SICK AND THE SUFFERING OF OUR STATE IN A GIANT MEDICAL EXPERIMEN REPORTER: OTHERS SAY 33 STATES HAVE ALREADY LEGALIZED MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND IT HAS EASED A LOT OF SUFFERING. >> IF IT WERE NOT OF THIS PLAN , I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.

Advertisement Legalization of medical marijuana evokes passionate pleas from both sides The issue pulls former Husker football coach Tom Osborne off the sidelines Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A bill that would legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska evoked passionate pleas from supporters and opponents at the State Capitol Friday.It even brought a legendary Husker football coach off the sidelines."I was not asked to come. I volunteered to come because I think this is a really important issue," Tom Osborne said.He said he has seen the affects of marijuana firsthand as a coach and mentor to young people."The idea marijuana is not addictive, is a myth. It's not dangerous, is a myth," Osborne said.He joined Lt. Gov. Mike Foley and a number of state leaders opposing LB 110.They are concerned legalizing medical marijuana will lead to abuse and eventually approval of recreational marijuana."We've already seen the script, we've read the playbook from other states," Nebraska State Patrol Col. John Bolduc said.But a number of others, including Christa Eggers, whose 4-year-old son Colton suffers from countless seizures told the Legislature's Judiciary committee current law forces them to choose between getting relief or going to jail."Preventing me from getting my child something that could potentially save his life, is inhumane. Forcing people to leave this state because they are denied medical cannabis is inhumane," Eggers said.State Sen. Anna Wishart, who introduced the bill said 32 states allow for comprehensive medical cannabis programs."To date not one state that legalized medical cannabis has sought to reverse that," Wishart said.Her bill would require patients to have written certification by a health care practitioner and be limited to a month's supply at a time, or allowed to grow up to six plants.The measure would set up regulations and testing of products."So what we are getting is as high quality as it can be," Wishart said.Mary Hilton understands the desperation of other families.Her 19-year-old daughter has as many as 40 seizures a day.But she said legalizing a federally unapproved drug is dangerous."It is not a silver bullet and it is often touted as a cure-all to help the sick and suffering. And the medical evidence does not support that," Hilton said."I see this as very dangerous legislation. It is putting the sick and the suffering of our state in a giant medical experiment."Tonja Peterson-Wendt disagrees. A traffic collision 15 years ago left her with a brain injury.The only relief that has worked is medical marijuana from Colorado"If it were not for this plant I would not be here today," Peterson-Wendt said.Supporters of medical marijuana say polls show 70 percent of Nebraskans favor legalizing medical marijuana and if lawmakers fail to act this session they will take the issue to voters in a ballot petition.