Democrat Gov. Dannel Malloy signed legislation on May 17 expanding patients’ access to the state’s medicinal cannabis program.
House Bill 5450 permits qualifying patients under the age of 18 to possess and consume medical cannabis preparations. The proposal also expands the list of qualifying illnesses eligible for cannabis therapy to include: ”uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder,” ”irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity,” “cerebral palsy,” “cystic fibrosis,” or “terminal illness requiring end-of-life care.”
Other provisions in the bill seek to establish a statewide clinical research program, and protect nurses from criminal, civil, or disciplinary sanction if they choose to administer marijuana to a qualifying patient in a hospital setting.
You can read the full text of the bill here.
The new law takes effect on October 1, 2016.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
