Bill Allowing Medical Marijuana for Kids Clears Senate

Proponents say they heard from many anguished parents about their children's suffering

A bill that that would allow minors with certain debilitating conditions to use Connecticut's medical marijuana program has cleared its final legislative hurdle.

The Senate late Friday voted 23-11 in favor of the bill, which already passed in the House of Representatives. It now moves to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's desk. He is expected to sign it.

"We introduced this bill to support those who need it - this is a deeply emotional issue for many families," said Chris Collibee, spokesperson for Malloy. "Delivering access to ease illness is something many states have passed. It's the right thing to do."

Sen. Toni Boucher, a Republican from Wilton and a chief opponent, spoke at length against the bill, voicing concerns about children using "mind-damaging substances," saying the harm could be worse than their underlying conditions.

But proponents say they heard from many anguished parents about their children's suffering from conditions such as extreme seizures being eased by the drug.

Under the bill, medical marijuana dispensaries could not provide qualified children any marijuana product that is smoked, vaporized or inhaled.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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