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Connecticut Medical Marijuana Industry Jobs Increasing

CT Medical Marijuana Growth

Connecticut legalized medical marijuana in 2012. Since the program’s inception, the state now has 8,000 registered patients. The program’s growth has also helped the state’s economy by providing 225 jobs just for cultivation and dispensary operations, according to Connecticutmag.com.

Other program related growths include:

  • Prescribing physician registry is now at 405
  • There are now 18 qualifying conditions
  • A total of 6 dispensaries are available statewide

One prescribing doctor, Dr. Judith Major, says, “The patients are hugging and kissing us, and 85 to 90 percent come back after a year.”

The state has also formed a committee to discuss additional qualifying conditions based upon petitions received.

The additional conditions currently under consideration are:

  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Severe psoriasis
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Fabry disease
  • Post-laminectomy syndrome with chronic radiculopathy
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Connecticut has devised a well-planned program. Every product must be registered. Every patient must be registered. Every step of the process and every person involved in cultivation, testing, prescribing, using or distributing medical marijuana must be registered.

One local company said, in reference to the program’s structure, that, “Each product has its own license. In order to secure these licenses, you must have an active license as a producer and the marijuana must have been tested by a laboratory licensed and located in Connecticut.”

Growers pay high fees to operate in the state. The initial application fee is $25,000. Approved producers are then required to pay a $75,000 annual fee. Dispensaries pay only $5,000 in annual fees and $1,000 in application fees. All of these fees are non-refundable.

Patients with qualifying conditions must receive a recommendation from a certified doctor that is registered with the state. Patients must pay a doctor’s fee (which varies by doctor) and the $100 state registration fee.

Dispensary owner Nick Tamborrino remarks that business has been positive for him. He said, “What’s quite remarkable is the success that patients are finding with the treatment and the formulations.”

Measures for recreational marijuana legalization are in the works. The medical marijuana program has proven to be successful and remains well-regulated in Connecticut.