Medical Marijuana Program is Booming in Connecticut

Patient numbers are steadily increasing in Connecticut. The state now has over 15,000 registered patients. The dispensary, Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut, has seen a drastic increase in the number of patients coming through its doors.

Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut is in a former bank building that came with a full vault, according to New Haven Register. Connecticut has increased the number of dispensaries throughout the state from six to eight. Another dispensary is planned for the Milford area.

Bluepoint Wellness owner, Nick Tamborrino, said, “When we started we had about 400 patients. The patient count has…more than doubled in the state of Connecticut. The patient who was just in here was a pediatric mom. The doctors are looking at medical marijuana as a legit treatment option. It’s not frowned upon anymore. …We’re seeing hundreds of doctors at this point certifying patients.”

Connecticut reports having 586 doctors registered to recommend medical marijuana.

More patients are preferring vaporized and ingestible forms of medical marijuana rather than dry flower for smoking. According to Tamborrino, about 40-percent of his patients prefer oils/capsules and edibles over vaporizers and dry flower.

Tamborrino said, “We try to provide the best option for patients. Pain is a big, big condition that we’ve had great success with. Patients have been able to decrease their opioid use. It’s really been quite remarkable. They’re able to not depend on them; they’ve been able to decrease their dose while decreasing withdrawal symptoms. They feel like they have their life back.”

In Connecticut, there are 22 qualifying conditions with a hearing currently scheduled on January 11 to further expand that list. Doctor’s don’t prescribe a specific type or strain of marijuana; it’s a trial and error process for patients and their dispensing pharmacists to get the right combination.

Connecticut pharmacists tare dispensing medical marijuana. Tamborrino said, “What makes Connecticut’s program different is that pharmacists are involved. Rather, they are on the lookout for interactions with other medications and any side effects from taking marijuana.”

Tamborrino closed his comments by saying, “Every day, hearing the success stories, that’s what it’s really about. Taking the individual patient and trying to get positive results. And having cannabis looked at as a true medication option is most rewarding.”