[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6227346,"mediaKeyId","3492344-e12c50ef9f2fa48793c2e3f63f830847","parentId",3492344,"title","Doctor nominated to medical cannabis commission urges research, warns against smoking as delivery method","audioSeconds",1124,"startMs",1840000,"endMs",2964000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3492344-e12c50ef9f2fa48793c2e3f63f830847&start=1840&end=2964","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3492344-e12c50ef9f2fa48793c2e3f63f830847/thumbnail_1840000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6227346/Nebraska/Doctor-nominated-to-medical-cannabis-commission-urges-research-warns-against-smoking-as-delivery-method","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227346-caf9a2f0d44d3fb468dfade5dc122094/orig.mp4?Expires=1770829680&Signature=m7ae-PTa98Tpsmre~NezY0ZCvbl6FKPxR2LsK7dwzU3O058u7X613R46tsq1Afjl-v5v1IXLwd9eSNinTe-ZREHlkCeFmTChxazZ2YfZ0TbPG9BXP6XTDwZGNpC5P06sE4C8TVx~b2LXsIOYE2JFYIPOMYuZ1Iey0LabOiZD4Mjfv026omWWAkcbnpl9bIgj2kBH6Xnu6X0vc1NDizMG0nax2wIvHNHNKuanqfgOLc3ksc0JYfnbow16XauXoPx6e5Wk5uzgXfG1Cx0dxduStHfNMDyXXTz7Y6UlQb9EoxeRUFPnYb9mq5Nz3lAGdr3OeQxAY~g50JD1HXDyMZB8qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-05-23T00:00:00Z","article","Dr. Monica Oldenburg, an anesthesiologist practicing in Nebraska, described her medical experience and urged a cautious, research‑driven approach to the Medical Cannabis Commission's rule‑making if confirmed.

\"I'm not a prohibitionist. I'm pro research,\" Dr. Oldenburg told senators, describing 18 years in clinical anesthesia and eight years practicing in Nebraska. She said Nebraska can learn from other states, including Colorado, where she practiced during the evolution from medical to recreational markets.

In response to committee questions, Oldenburg said the commission should be deliberate in designating appropriate medical conditions and in regulating dispensaries and manufacturers. She raised clinical concerns about product potency, dosing and interactions with other medications, saying research in the field is developing and sometimes contradictory.

On smoking and delivery routes, Oldenburg was direct: \"Smoking isn't good for your lungs. It just isn't. It doesn't matter what you're smoking.\" She said physicians have a clinical bias against smoking generally, and she would bring that clinical judgment into commission discussions while noting the commission must follow statute and legal guidance.

Senators asked whether the commission could limit which product forms dispensaries sell; Oldenburg said she was not sure of the commission's authority on medical practice or prescribing and said she would seek legal counsel and work with other commissioners to stay within statutory bounds.

Oldenburg said she was motivated to apply because of clinical concerns and experience treating patients; senators and other witnesses addressed the need to include physicians on the commission to help design dosing, delivery and safety rules. Her answers underscored open questions about how the commission will balance clinical judgment, statutory limits and patient access when it writes rules.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","General Affairs 5/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Monica Oldenburg, an anesthesiologist practicing in Nebraska, described her medical experience and urged a cautious, research‑driven approach to the Medical Cannabis Commission's rule‑making if confirmed.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NE, Nebraska","taxId",77675,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6227350,"Muting tells committee prevention background would inform commission work; says commission must follow statute",191,309000,500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3492344-e12c50ef9f2fa48793c2e3f63f830847&start=309&end=500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3492344-e12c50ef9f2fa48793c2e3f63f830847/thumbnail_309000.jpg","/articles/6227350/Nebraska/Muting-tells-committee-prevention-background-would-inform-commission-work-says-commission-must-follow-statute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227350-7d6bb5b87bdf465646b0bb306c52cc36/orig.mp4?Expires=1770829680&Signature=Kgv5ClFTouQo3TW2S6q1yzwE7pzsl4IqUaA0EidrJsb07G493FTOTltn5bQZWBiESCCXrCftNHsjwDlp8mx2KFurhM3iN00RNzYxRc-WaOEM9hqR26URHHYpUhho9bNSoMuYaDf6OQUKDfvf-gHA8pPGa8sQH1np3aCq4pwFOUzDCnarR6oCQ~A3eCfV-91NWfos2gagpCEh1SJHxL7QXWwE4kQpfIuzuFkg~15UOtJXq80Ipo7YUjrH58hDGfcXxDe~w-DuSGCB5ex3WbZLCsWeMTuN9EDvsCXBbaag~TCVIR8NhI5EMysUzq1tpupDwOJxJ1Ma-73Ww71en01bKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laurel Muting told the Nebraska General Affairs Committee she seeks to bring a prevention and public‑health perspective to the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission if confirmed.

\"There's nothing about that goal that says we need to sacrifice public health and safety to attain it,\" Muting said, identifying herself as the prevention director at Heartland Family Service and noting two decades of work in substance‑use prevention. She thanked Governor Pillen for nominating her and said she would support rules aligned with the statute and the needs of patients.

In questioning, senators pressed Muting about whether the commission can create a list of qualifying medical conditions. Muting responded that she was not an attorney and said, \"I can read the statutes and see what they say, but I'm not an attorney,\" adding that any power to make a list would be a question for the commission as a whole and legal counsel.

Muting said she would examine other states' approaches but declined to commit to a specific list of conditions. She told senators she aims to collaborate with the other four commissioners to draw on evidence and best practices: \"I feel like, again, there are other states that have done this and some of them there are some things they're doing well and there are other things that maybe aren't going so well.\"

Committee members also asked whether the commission could limit product forms such as smokeable flower. Muting noted the statute describes the commission's role in regulating possession, manufacture, distribution, delivery and dispensing; she said if the statute does not empower the commission to set rules about forms, the commission should stay within the statute.

Muting addressed concerns that her prevention background creates a conflict. She said her goal is to help guide rule‑making so the program serves people with debilitating conditions while protecting public health and safety. Supporters at the hearing, including Heartland executives and a Sarpy County sheriff, described her as collaborative and experienced in prevention and policy work.

Her testimony did not include any motion or formal action; questions about the commission's legal authority, product forms and a precise list of qualifying conditions remained open and were left for the commission, counsel and future rule‑making to resolve.","Laurel Muting, nominated to the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, emphasized her prevention experience and said the commission should set rules that protect public health while implementing the statute; she repeatedly told senators she is not an attorney and would rely on legal guidance for authority questions.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":80,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":83,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6227354,"Nebraska hearing draws sharp criticism and praise over governor’s medical cannabis commission nominees",1571,1880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3492344-e12c50ef9f2fa48793c2e3f63f830847&start=309&end=1880","/articles/6227354/Nebraska/Nebraska-hearing-draws-sharp-criticism-and-praise-over-governors-medical-cannabis-commission-nominees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6227354-91c25752ff4ad7799f8e5fbc44f70cf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770829680&Signature=lbjYY7uq9SkXE3u5tDMA9BHVKmnX5pxNBcWfAsR5bXXoht1xba99TQjOlU563RwbSoeFsYz6AC7j02xdDAU5y0pPSvcWXH~wJbjl4EbJqAgTcB1ZnxvKOOD94iLNLPSHwGvMkSH4GxtJ8kZm8cWxHCQx5DPpgg51GMPWA-MKm-DOfTW2yu0DKR8Sc9oIRB-3BVcB2DCXuUM2YOtYOdPsuWGt6c0Eofwmqf3T3JvUsjz8VtjdLPreyJVqP7AH7BtMzSKv~pTHfy2RugG1oy5-ffi2jH91YZ~AE~E9v9JQqolmezCtAPtYeyHrq~Hs6KKIeNlj2HNV5Cwm6wt64Teyng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nebraska General Affairs Committee members heard confirmation testimony today on two gubernatorial appointments to the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission amid strong public reaction.

The hearing centered on Laurel Muting, prevention director at Heartland Family Service, and Dr. Monica Oldenburg, an anesthesiologist practicing in Nebraska. Supporters and opponents filled the hearing room and submitted written comments, framing the session as a test of whether appointees opposed to earlier legalization efforts should implement the program voters approved.

The issue matters because the five‑member commission will write rules for registration, manufacture, distribution and dispensing of medical cannabis — decisions that will determine patient access and how the new market operates. Opponents argued the governor’s choices risk delaying or obstructing access; supporters said the nominees bring relevant experience.

Christa Eggers, representing Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, told the committee she found it “insulting that individuals with a long and public history opposing such access are being considered for the roles that will determine how this policy is implemented.” Eggers urged the committee to “reject both of these appointments,” citing prior testimony by the nominees opposing legalization.

Several patient advocates and family members gave personal testimony. Shelly Gillen, a mother of a child with severe seizures, said appointees “want to see it fail.” Morgan Ryan, who described living with chronic pain, told senators she found the nominees’ past opposition “insulting” to voters who supported the measure.

By contrast, Sheriff Greg London of Sarpy County urged confirmation of Laurel Muting, calling her “a person of integrity and character, and I think she’s perfect for this board.” Heartland Family Service chief operating officer Mary O'Neil, who also testified in support, said Muting “will work diligently to design rules that meet the intent of the act and the best interest of all Nebraskans.” Maggie Ballard, a colleague, similarly urged committee members to judge Muting by her experience and collaborative approach.

A range of other invited witnesses testified both for and against the appointments, including legal and public‑health perspectives and a statewide public‑opinion poll from a private firm that found most respondents want commissioners free of personal bias.

No formal committee votes were taken during the hearing. The committee record will include the oral testimony and dozens of written comments submitted for the record.

Questions from committee members focused on whether nominees could separate past public positions from the regulatory role and on the commission’s authority to address matters such as allowable product forms, patient eligibility and licensing.

The hearing concluded with public testimony from dozens of Nebraskans and invited witnesses; the committee did not announce next steps or a date for final action on the confirmations.","The Nebraska General Affairs Committee heard contested confirmation testimony for two gubernatorial appointees to the Medical Cannabis Commission, with opponents citing prior public opposition and supporters stressing expertise and public‑health concerns.","actionData","errors"]

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Doctor nominated to medical cannabis commission urges research, warns against smoking as delivery method

Muting tells committee prevention background would inform commission work; says commission must follow statute

Nebraska hearing draws sharp criticism and praise over governor’s medical cannabis commission nominees