Medical Marijuana Clears Major Hurdle in Connecticut

The Connecticut vote, which represents the culmination of a five year effort, comes just two months after the governor of New Mexico signed a medical marijuana bill into law for that state.

Gov. Rell has not yet said whether she will sign the Compassionate Use Act, but earlier in the session she indicated possible support when speaking to reporters. HB 6715 will become law either if Gov. Rell signs it or if she does not veto it.

Connecticut has had a medical marijuana law on the books since 1981, but the existing law is broken because it requires a doctor to prescribe marijuana. Due to federal law, physicians can be sent to prison and have their medical licenses revoked for prescribing marijuana.

HB 6715 would correct this flaw by allowing medical doctors to recommend marijuana after all other options for relief have been tried and proven to be insufficient. The bill would also allow patients to possess and use marijuana as recommended by their doctor.

According to a 2004 report by the UConn Center for Survey Research and Analysis, 83% of Connecticut residents support access to medical marijuana.