Connecticut House Bill 5450, signed into law by Governor Dannel P. Malloy earlier this year, is now in full effect. This means that those under 18 with certain qualifying conditions can legally use cannabis for medical uses if they receive a recommendation from a physician. Nurses are also now authorized to recommend medical cannabis to both adults and minors; previously that authority was exclusive to physicians.
Under the new law, which was approved 152 to 24 by the state’s legislature, 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 minor has approval from their parent or guardian and receives a recommendation from a physician or registered nurse (under current Connecticut law medical cannabis is already legal for those 18 and older).
Qualifying conditions include terminal illness, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, irreversible spinal cord injury with intractable spasticity, severe epilepsy and intractable seizure disorders.
“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 – the full text of which can be found by clicking here – officially took effect on October 1st.
