Connecticut: Legislation to Legalize Medical Cannabis for Children Signed into Law by Governor
Legislation (House Bill 5450) to legalize the medical use of cannabis for those under 18 has been signed into law by Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy after being approved 152 to 24 by the state’s legislature. The new law also protects nurses who administer medical cannabis to qualified patients in hospitals from any criminal, civil, or work-related disciplinary actions.
Under the proposed law, children with a wide variety of ailments would be allowed to use non-smokeable forms of cannabis (such as tinctures) for medical use, so long as the child has approval from their parent or guardian and receives a recommendation from a physician and a specialist (under current Connecticut law medical cannabis is already legal for those 18 and older). Qualifying conditions include but are not limited to cancer, glaucoma, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and post traumatic stress disorder.
“We introduced this bill to support those who need it – this is a deeply emotional issue for many families,” says Chris Collibee, a spokesperson for Governor Malloy. “Delivering access to ease illness is something many states have passed. It’s the right thing to do.”
The new law takes effect on October 1st.
