Omaha, NE Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (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.
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?
Can patients consume in public?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Omaha
Compare Omaha to another location·View the Nebraska public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.