Connecticut Legislature Passes Measure to Legalize Medical Cannabis for Children, Governor to Sign

Connecticut Legislature Passes Measure to Legalize Medical Cannabis for Children, Governor to Sign

Just a couple days after the Connecticut House of Representatives voted 129 to 13 to pass a bill to legalize the medical use of cannabis medicines for those under 18, the state’s Senate has voted 23 to 11 to pass the same measure. It now goes to Governor Dannel P. Malloy, who introduced the bill.

Under the proposal, 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.

Qualifying conditions include cancer, glaucoma, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder, cachexia, wasting syndrome, Crohn’s disease, post traumatic stress disorder,irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, any terminal illness requiring end of life care and “any medical condition, medical treatment or disease approved for qualifying patients by the Department of Consumer Protection”

“We introduced this bill to support those who need it – this is a deeply emotional issue for many families,” said 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.”