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Nebraska Special Session on Vape & Hemp Taxes


What's happening?

During Nebraska's last legislative session, additional taxes were proposed on hemp and vape products in an effort to ease the burden of high property taxes. An initial proposal for hemp was a 100% tax, which would result in hemp products doubling in price for the consumer.

Thankfully, these were not implemented, but by the end of the session, the issue of high property taxes hadn't been solved. In response, the governor called a special session which began on July 29 with a series of public hearings. The topics of vape and hemp taxes were one of many options discussed during these hearings and the meetings which took place in the days following.

It goes without saying that we don't believe imposing massive taxes on these products is the proper solution for high property taxes, especially when recent polling indicated that at least 70% of Nebraska's citizens are favorable toward statewide marijuana legalization. Plus, thousands of Nebraskans depend on access to vapor products in order to abstain from cigarette usage.

In addition, these taxes would have a disastrous impact on our industry and the people it serves, putting independent vape shops out of business, hundreds of workers out of their jobs, and thousands of people at risk of returning to smoking.

Tax rates proposed during this special session are closer to 30%–40%. While that would be preferred to a 100% tax, it would still be incredibly damaging to our industry and to the public health.
The debates on the house floor begin on Thursday, August 8 and run through the following Saturday. Now, more than ever, we need your help to protect your access to the vape and hemp products you love and depend on. We must keep pushing these representatives to oppose these taxes right up until the last votes are cast!
 

How can you help?

It's time to make your voice heard! Remember to be respectful and civil no matter which way you choose to reach out. With your help, we can stop this ban in its tracks and keep our shelves stocked with your favorite products. Thank you in advance!

Use the state's Find Your Legislator tool to get ahold of contact info for your district's lawmakers. Then, using the template below, craft and send them an email making your opposition clear and imploring them to vote no on any measures that would raise taxes on vape and hemp products.

Make sure you either cut and paste the message into individual emails for each rep or send them as a blind CC so they receive an email sent only to them. This will help make sure that you are taken seriously and not just seen as spam mail!

If you'd rather not send an email, contacting your representative via phone is a great way to quickly and effectively voice your concerns. The state's Find Your Legislator tool lists phone numbers alongside email addresses. Once you've got the numbers, call them up and respectfully voice your opposition to these taxes and implore them to oppose them themselves.

Thank you for your help! Together, we can keep our shelves stocked with the products you know, love, and depend on!

 

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