Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccine Info
  • Money
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Vaccine Info
    Money
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

18,000 now use medical marijuana in CT

  • Health
  • by Schae Beaudoin
  • June 14, 2017
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"
This is a picture of Medical marijuana products available for sale at Prime Wellness, a dispensary in South Windsor.

Arielle Levin Becker :: CTMirror.org

Medical marijuana products available for sale at Prime Wellness, a dispensary in South Windsor.

The recreational marijuana debate is tabled for now, but 18,000 Connecticut residents are using the drug to help with specific debilitating medical conditions.

Medical marijuana was legalized in May of 2012 and put into practice in September of 2014. In the five years since its legalization, the number of dispensaries grew from six to nine. The number of patients in Connecticut now stands over 18,000. Regulations expanded to allow minors with certain serious illnesses to use medical marijuana. St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center began testing the drug as an alternative to opioids.

Connecticut Drug Control Division director Rod Marriott said the program is well-received by patients. “It’s always great to hear… about a patient that’s using a product from medical marijuana in Connecticut that’s helping them to have a better quality of life,” Marriott said.

Who uses medical marijuana?

Among the 22 qualifying conditions are cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis. Marriott estimates about 7,000 new patients are added each year.

It’s difficult to determine how the number of patients in Connecticut stacks up against that in other states because programs and qualifying conditions vary widely across the country.

Where are medical marijuana dispensaries?

Initially, six dispensaries were approved by the state and established in Hartford, Branford, Bethel, South Windsor, Bristol and the Uncasville section of Montville. In 2016, two more dispensaries were added in Milford and one in Waterbury to meet higher demand in Fairfield and New Haven counties.

Where does Connecticut stand compared to other states?

Connecticut is the only state that offers medical marijuana as treatment for cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and post-laminectomy syndrome. Cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy are on the short list of qualifying conditions for minors in the state.

Connecticut is one of only three states that doesn’t list chronic or severe pain as a qualifying condition, along with Illinois and New Hampshire. Connecticut and New Hampshire each list around 20 qualifying conditions and Illinois lists about 40.

The Department of Consumer Protection’s (DCP) Board of Physicians recommended seven new conditions this year, including spasms or pain from fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, postherpetic neuralgia, muscular dystrophy, migraines, hydrocephalus with headaches and trigeminal neuralgia. The board also has recommended that muscular dystrophy be added to the list of conditions for minors.

Medical marijuana patients, current and prospective, are encouraged to attend Board of Physicians meetings and testify about their experience with medical marijuana or their wishes to have a condition added. The Board of Physicians makes recommendations, which then pass through the state’s Office of the Attorney General and the Regulation Review Committee of the General Assembly.

Marriott also noted that the state classifies marijuana as a Schedule II drug, at odds with the more-restrictive federal Schedule I classification.

While many states regulate medical marijuana through their public health departments, the DCP regulates medical marijuana in Connecticut. DCP communications director Lora Rae Anderson said while other states regulate medical marijuana as they would liquor, the DCP wants marijuana to be seen as a pharmaceutical drug. “We want to make sure that medical marijuana is treated just like any other prescription drug,” Anderson said.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Schae Beaudoin

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
With billions in federal relief on the way to CT, legislators assert their role in deciding how to spend it
by Keith M. Phaneuf and Mark Pazniokas

With an unusual bill, state legislators are reminding Gov. Ned Lamont they have significant role in disbursing federal coronavirus relief.

How does the public option bill differ from Gov. Ned Lamont’s health care plan? Here’s a look at the two proposals.
by Jenna Carlesso

With the rising cost of care a central issue this legislative session, lawmakers and Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration have each moved ahead with their own plans aimed at driving down prices.

Medical providers are taking nature therapy seriously
by Jenifer Frank | C-HIT.ORG

In a time of social isolation and staying home, sometimes a walk in the park is the best medicine.

Have a case of a COVID variant? No one is going to tell you
by Christina Jewett and JoNel Aleccia | Kaiser Health News and Rachana Pradhan

Federal rules around who can be told about the variant cases are confusing, and tests have not been approved.

CT teachers are expected to get vaccinated for COVID at local clinics, but other options could cause problems
by Dave Altimari

School employees could end up on two lists, which means some vaccine might go to waste, officials said.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion The public health bill no one is talking about, but should be
by Brian Festa

On February 16,  the legislature's Public Health Committee conducted a public hearing on two bills, S.B. 568 and H.B. 6423, both of which would eliminate the religious exemption to mandatory vaccinations for Connecticut schoolchildren.  The hearing was capped at 24 hours, depriving nearly 1,500 members of the public who had registered for the hearing their opportunity to be heard.  The vast majority of those who did testify, and who submitted written testimony, opposed the bill.  The committee is expected to vote on the bill as early as  today. 

Opinion Students need more resources, fewer officers
by Tenille Bonilla

"School resource officer" is just a nice way to say cop. But what students really need is more resource and less officer.

Opinion The Board of Regents’ changes must not shortchange its students or faculty
by Carrie Andreoletti, PhD

As a university professor and a lifespan developmental psychologist, I tend to approach my work from a developmental perspective. This means I aim to foster a lifelong love of learning and to help others find a sense of meaning and purpose, as well as confidence in their ability to reach their goals. My approach to higher education is shaped by my desire to provide the best possible education for my students. This is why the recent Board of Regents’ proposed changes at the four state universities have me worried.

Opinion How to close schooling opportunity gaps created by the pandemic
by Carol Gale

We ask school district leaders to trust your public servants whose daily work life involves assessing student needs and planning or modifying instruction to meet those needs. Listen to their voices, as we have, and allocate precious resources on interventions that will offer increased opportunities for Hartford students to succeed.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO