Nearly three weeks after making a sudden and unexpected plea for money, the group looking to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska is “begging and pleading” for volunteers to circulate petitions.

That’s the message in a just released 2-minute video from Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, which is facing a July deadline that needs nearly 90,000 valid signatures in order to put the issue on the November ballot.

NMM’s Statewide Campaign Coordinator, Crista Eggers making an emotional appeal:

“I’m pleading with you, not as a campaign manager, but as a mom who has a seven-year-old little boy who desperately, desperately—as so many patients do in this state—need an option for us to talk with his doctor about medical cannabis as a treatment option.” 

Late last month, in a fund-raising email, NMM said it needed $500,000 by May 1.

The email went on to say that NMM was counting on a major contribution but due to a “personal and tragic circumstance” that commitment had fallen through.

One of the group’s leaders, State Sen. Adam Morfeld, then told News Channel Nebraska they are “confident” they’ll come up with the needed funds to fill the gap; indicating the money would be going to hire paid petition circulators.

“It is possible, but very difficult, to qualify initiatives for the ballot without hiring a professional collection firm to help,” said Morfeld adding, “If any campaign can do it solely with a grassroots signature drive, it's ours. But we are working hard to raise additional funds to supplement that effort and put us in the best position to succeed.”

According to NMM’s most recent state campaign filing, at the end of January the group had $39,125 cash on hand.

Gov. Pete Ricketts has been leading the charge against medical marijuana in Nebraska.