Connecticut Adds 6 New Medical Marijuana Conditions

The regulation review committee in Connecticut approved the addition of six more health conditions to its medical marijuana program. The vote was 8 – 5 in favor of expanding the list of approved conditions. Fabry’s Disease was not approved because the vote was tied at 2 – 2 for that condition.

The approved additions are:

• Sickle cell disease
• Severe psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis
• Post-laminectomy syndrome with chronic radiculopathy (back pain as a result of surgery)
• Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
• Ulcerative colitis
• Complex regional pain syndrome

Commissioner of the State Department of Consumer Protection, Jonathan A. Harris, says, “The six new conditions will allow other people with some really serious medical conditions to have access to the medicine to help them. “

Those suffering from the newly approved conditions can begin applying for medical marijuana certifications in about 30 days, according to reports in the Hartford Courant.

Connecticut has language in place requiring 8 doctors or qualified medical professionals on its Medical Marijuana Program Board of Physicians. Currently, only 5 doctors are on that panel. The struggle is finding qualified doctors to fill the existing positions.

In reference to the board, Representative Tom O’Dea says, “The core problem is that we now have a statute that says the board is going to have eight doctors or surgeons knowledgeable about the palliative use of marijuana. The problem is that there have only been four qualified to do that. Now, we have a fifth.”

Patients with these newly added conditions do not automatically qualify for the medical marijuana program. Connecticut requires a recommendation by a program-participating doctor.

The number of qualifying conditions in Connecticut is now at 17. The program says it is adding roughly 100 patients per week, projecting a patient base of 13,000 by year’s end.