News » Connecticut House OKs Medical Marijuana Bill

April 26, 2012 by Jonathan

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The Connecticut House of Representatives voted Wednesday to legalize the use of medical marijuana, despite the concerns raised by some lawmakers that those who manufacture and distribute the drug face the lingering possibility of federal prosecution. The Nutmeg state voted 96-51 following close to seven hours of emotional debate. It now moves to the Senate for further action and expected to receive the blessing and support of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy

Opposed llegislators distributed copies of a letter sent this week to two state senators from U.S. Attorney David Fein of Connecticut. In the letters he warns that if the state decides to legalize medical marijuana, the Department of Justice won’t go after the seriously ill patients who use the illegal drug but it will pursue federal drug charges against those who manufacture and distribute it.

Under the proposed bill patients will be required to receive a prescription from a physician to receive marijuana to relieve pain from illnesses such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV and multiple sclerosis. The bill would allow some producers to cultivate and grow the marijuana, and licensed pharmacists could provide the marijuana to patients. Patients would need to re-qualify every year in order to keep receiving medical marijuana.

Connecticut joins 16 other states and Washington, D.C. that have enacted a form of medical marijuana law.

[source Yale Daily News]

Tags: connecticut, marijuana, medical marijuana