Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Omaha, NE Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

Recreational use
Illegal in Nebraska
Medical program
Initiatives 437/438 (2024)
Public consumption
Prohibited
State statute
NE §28-416

Summary

Recreational marijuana remains illegal under Nebraska law. Public consumption, possession over an ounce, and distribution are state crimes. Voter-approved Initiatives 437 and 438 (Nov 2024) created a medical program but did not legalize recreational use.

28-416. Prohibited acts; violations; penalties. (1) Except as authorized by the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, it shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally: (a) To manufacture, distribute, deliver, dispense, or possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, deliver, or dispense a controlled substance; or (b) to create, distribute, or possess with intent to distribute a counterfeit controlled substance. [...] (14) Except as provided in section 28-1701, any person knowingly or intentionally possessing marijuana weighing one ounce or less or any substance containing a quantifiable amount of the substances, chemicals, or compounds described, defined, or delineated in subdivision (c)(28) of Schedule I of section 28-405 shall: (a) For the first offense, be guilty of an infraction, receive a citation, be fined three hundred dollars, and be assigned to attend a course as prescribed in section 29-433 if the judge determines that attending such course is in the best interest of the individual defendant; (b) For the second offense, be guilty of a Class IV misdemeanor, receive a citation, and be fined four hundred dollars and may be imprisoned not to exceed five days; and (c) For the third and all subsequent offenses, be guilty of a Class IIIA misdemeanor, receive a citation, be fined five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned not to exceed seven days.

Source: Nebraska Revised Statute 28-416View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Nebraska has not legalized recreational cannabis. Nebraska §28-416 governs possession and distribution as Schedule I controlled substances. In November 2024, voters passed Initiatives 437 and 438 establishing a regulated medical cannabis program through a state commission, but smoking or vaping cannabis in public, parks, vehicles, and most workplaces remains prohibited. Omaha enforces state law through OPD; possession of one ounce or less is a civil infraction, while public smoking adds disorderly conduct exposure.

Violations & Fines

Public marijuana use brings citations under state controlled substance law plus city Chapter 25 charges; repeat or larger-quantity offenses may escalate to misdemeanor or felony charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Nebraska legalize medical marijuana?
Yes. Initiatives 437 and 438, approved November 2024, established a medical cannabis program. The state commission is still developing licensing and product rules during rollout.
Can patients consume in public?
No. Even registered medical patients cannot smoke or vape cannabis in public spaces, vehicles, or most workplaces under the initiatives and existing state law.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Omaha

All Omaha rules

Compare Omaha to another location·View the Nebraska public conduct overview

Get notified when Public Marijuana Use in Omaha, NE changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.