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Prescription Marijuana for Ailing Children Moves One Step Closer in Connecticut

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A bill that would allow children with certain medical conditions to be prescribed marijuana passed a key legislative committee Monday. 

Time ran out on a similar bill last session, which would allow minors with parental consent to be prescribed a liquid form of medical marijuana.

Only children with certain debilitating conditions would be eligible, such as a spinal cord injury, end of life care, or as in the case of 13-year-old Cyndimae Meehan, a severe form of epilepsy.

Cyndimae's mother, Susan, testified on March 2 that her daughter's daily seizures reduced dramatically on marijuana oil. The Meehan family moved to Maine two years ago because doctors can prescribe medical marijuana for children. Cyndimae died unexpectedly on March 13.

The case clearly moved the public health committee's co-chair, Democratic Representative Matthew Ritter.

"All I can say is that as a parent, if I was ever faced with something, I would want as many options as possible for my children," said Ritter. "Federal government requirements and all those things would not weigh much on my heart. Getting a fix for my children's issues would be the most important thing to me."

Republican State Senator Joe Markley said he was also moved by the testimony, but indicated that he would vote against the bill after hearing from constituents who work with teenagers in Southington.

"They're feeling that the increased approval given to the use of marijuana had an effect of sending a signal to young people that, it was an encouragement to them to experiment with it," said Markley.

The bill also expands the number of conditions that can be treated with medical marijuana, and allows for more medical marijuana research programs in the state.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for a vote.

Ray Hardman is Connecticut Public’s Arts and Culture Reporter. He is the host of CPTV’s Emmy-nominated original series Where Art Thou? Listeners to Connecticut Public Radio may know Ray as the local voice of Morning Edition, and later of All Things Considered.

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