Thea Digiammerino

State Approves New Conditions Covered Under Medical Marijuana Program

The state has released updated medical marijuana regulations that include new conditions covered for adults and children.

The Regulations Review Committee of the General Assembly approved eight additional conditions for adults and two new conditions for those under 18.

The new conditions are listed below. These are in addition to the conditions previously covered by the program.

For Adults:

  • Spasticity or Neuropathic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia
  • Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Post Herpetic Neuralgia
  • Hydrocephalus with Intractable Headache
  • Intractable Headache Syndromes
  • Neuropathic Facial Pain

For Adults and Patients Under 18:

  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta

The Department of Consumer Protection said there are currently 27,340 patients using the medical marijuana program. DCP Commissioner Michelle Seagull praised the addition of new conditions.

“Now that these regulations have been accepted, more patients with severe medical conditions will have access to medical marijuana as a treatment option,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull, “I want to thank our Board of Physicians and the committee for their thoughtful consideration of these conditions. I continue to be proud of the careful way that our program has expanded, and its commitment to a true medical model.”

Though Connecticut is one of 30 states with a medical marijuana program, the treatment method is not without controversy.

Marijuana is considered an illegal drug by federal officials and federal restrictions have limited research. Last year, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine concluded the lack of scientific information about marijuana poses a risk to public health.

There's evidence marijuana can treat chronic pain in adults and medications similar to marijuana can ease nausea from chemotherapy.

For a full list of covered conditions and more information about the medical marijuana program in Connecticut, click here.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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