State Discusses Adding 7 More Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions

Connecticut’s medical marijuana program includes 22 qualifying conditions for adults. Six conditions are approved for adolescents. This week, seven more conditions that were petitioned by the public will be discussed for inclusion in the program.

The conditions were discussed at length between the State Board of Physicians and the Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner, according to NBC Connecticut.  The board decided to recommend these conditions to the commissioner: muscular dystrophy, fibromyalgia (with neuropathic pain/ spasms), Post Herpetic Neuralgia (including peripheral neuropathy and allodynia from shingles where post herpetic neuralgia exists), and rheumatoid arthritis. The board rejected severe COPD/Emphysema, ssteoarthritis, and atopic dermatitis/eczema.

The commissioner has to agree with the board’s recommendations before they will go through a proper regulatory process. This includes a public commentary period and review by legislative regulation review committee members.

Muscular dystrophy was recommended to be added to the list of pediatric qualifying conditions.

Pushing for shingles to be added was Regina Walsh, whose father suffered from shingles and is left with debilitating pain.

Walsh said, “The blisters resolved, but he’s been left with a constant debilitating pain and discomfort from it that is so sensitive that even clothes against his skin is very disruptive to him. Nothing has helped and they have in face made conditions worse. Being 95 years old, he is very sensitive to drugs and medication. Some of the drugs caused weakness in his legs and contributed to him falling, which is very dangerous when you’re 95. So we’re looking for some alternatives and he is very game for this.”