Colorado House and Senate Votes to Add Autism Spectrum Disorders as Qualifying Medical Cannabis Conditions
0 comments
A proposal that would add autism spectrum disorders to Colorado’s medical cannabis program has been passed through its second reading in the Senate, having already been approved by the full House of Representatives.
House Bill 1263 was filed by State Representative Edith Hooton (D) along with a bipartisan group of three additional lawmakers. The measure was passed by the House on April 12 in a 53 to 11 vote, and today it was approved through its second reading in the Senate. It will now need to receive one final vote in the Senate before it can be sent to Governor John Hickenlooper for consideration.
According to its official summary, “The bill adds autism spectrum disorders to the list of disabling medical conditions that authorize a person to use medical marijuana for his or her condition.”
If the measure becomes law, as is expected at this point, autism spectrum disorders would join the following qualifying conditions:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV or AIDS
- Cachexia
- Persistent muscle spasms
- Seizures
- Severe nausea
- Severe pain
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)