CT Senate Approve Bill To Allow Minors Access To Medical Marijuana
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) — A bill that that would allow minors with certain debilitating conditions to use Connecticut's medical marijuana program has cleared its final legislative hurdle.
The Senate late Friday voted 23-11 in favor of the bill, which already passed in the House of Representatives. It now moves to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's desk.
Sen. Toni Boucher, a Republican from Wilton and a chief opponent, spoke at length against the bill, voicing concerns about children using "mind-damaging substances," saying the harm could be worse than their underlying conditions.
But proponents say they heard from many anguished parents about their children's suffering from conditions such as extreme seizures being eased by the drug.
Under the bill, medical marijuana dispensaries could not provide qualified children any marijuana product that is smoked, vaporized or inhaled.
Earlier this year, the testimony of parents with ailing children testified in favor of the bill at the Capitol. Their heart-wrenching stories brought tears to many reporters in attendance.
Many states have already legalized the use of marijuana for ailing children.
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