Three weeks after Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana the state moved a step closer to allowing it Tuesday when a judge ruled that the petitions that put the question on the ballot were valid.

A Nebraska district court judge has ruled in favor of two medical marijuana legalization initiatives that voters approved in this month’s election.

A Nebraska judge ruled that a voter-approved ballot measure could move forward after state leaders challenged it in court.

There were not enough invalid petition signatures to void the outcome of two medical marijuana initiatives in Nebraska, Judge Susan I. Strong determined.

Nebraska medical marijuana legalization is closer to reality after judge’s ruling but an appeal is likely.