The legislature’s Regulations Review Committee has approved two new conditions to allow patients with chronic pain and an inherited disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue to access Connecticut’s medical marijuana program.
The committee on Tuesday unanimously approved the provisions that were previously recommended by the state Medical Marijuana Program’s Board of Physicians, according to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), which oversees the state’s medical pot program.
According to DCP, the new conditions include chronic pain of at least six months associated with a specific underlying chronic condition; and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which is a cluster of inherited disorders that mainly impact an individual’s skin, joints and blood vessels. Symptoms for the syndrome include flexible joints that can dislocate, and skin that bruises easily, among others.
DCP Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull in a statement said the new conditions were approved following an “informed and thoughtful” discussion about chronic pain.
“I am pleased that we have been able to hear from the public, and the board has been able to make recommendations that will give patients, and the medical professionals who treat them more options for care,” Seagull said.
DCP said it will now submit the regulations to the Secretary of the State’s Office for final approval. Once the conditions are officially added to the program, there will be 38 conditions approved for adults and 10 for patients under age 18.
State data shows there are currently 41,254 patients in the medical marijuana program, 1,270 certifying physicians and APRNs, 17 dispensary facilities and four producers in Connecticut.
