Democrat Gov. Dan Malloy signed legislation into law on Friday, June 1, allowing for the state-sanctioned production, distribution, and use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes. The new law – Public Act 12-55, An Act Concerning the Palliative Use of Marijuana – will take effect on October 1, 2012.
“For years, we’ve heard from so many patients with chronic diseases who undergo treatments like chemotherapy or radiation and are denied the palliative benefits that medical marijuana would provide,” Governor Malloy said in a prepared statement. (Read it here.) “With careful regulation and safeguards, this law will allow a doctor and a patient to decide what is in that patient’s best interest.”
Under the law, patients with a qualifying “debilitating medical condition” must receive “written certification” from a physician and register with the state’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). Qualifying patients and their primary caregivers will be allowed to possess a combined one-month supply of cannabis, the specific amount of which will be determined by a board consisting of eight physicians certified by appropriate medical boards and enforced through DCP regulations. Patients may obtain marijuana from certified pharmacists at licensed dispensaries, who will obtain it from licensed producers. The law allows for the licensing of at least three, but no more than ten, producers statewide.
Said Erik Williams, Executive Director of Connecticut NORML, who assisted in drafting the bill and generated over 36,000 phone calls and e-mails to lawmakers in support of the measure, “I am so happy for all the patients who will have another medicinal option to discuss with their doctor and for all of those currently suffering with debilitating conditions who will no longer suffer the indignity of being sick and a criminal.”
Connecticut is the 17th state since 1996 to allow for the limited legalization of medicinal cannabis. It is the fourth New England state to do so, joining Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont — each of which allow for qualified patients to possess and cultivate limited quantities of the plant.
Late last month, Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed into law similar legislation allowing for the state-licensed production and limited distribution of medicinal cannabis. Vermont lawmakers in 2011 approved a similar measure; however, to date the state has yet to license any statewide dispensaries. Presently, a total of eight state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries are operating in Maine.
Similar state-licensed dispensaries operate in Colorado and New Mexico. Additional licensing legislation awaits implementation in Arizona, Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington, DC.
Connecticut will not allow for any cultivation by patients. This fact should be clarified above.
Does anyone know which State out of these 17 is the most liberal for Medical Marijuana? I don’t understand the difference between ‘Limited Legalization’, ‘Legalization’ and ‘Decrmininalized’ Thank you! ^_^
Go Connecticut!
its a step in the right direction..
Cris Ericson, United States
Marijuana Party, has been
certified by the Secretary of
State Elections Division
in Vermont to be
on the Nov. 6, 2012
General Election ballot
as a candidate running for
United States Senator of
Vermont and also
for Governor of Vermont.
http://usmjp.com
Cris Ericson is looking for
campaign fundraisers,
and out-of-state donations
are legal.
She would be happy to hear
from pro-bono attorneys on
how to go about legal
fundraising.
One source says:
“Independent contractor
fund raisers
are just that. If you say
you pay them 20%
then you pay them 20%
of what they raise.
You file your FEC reports
with the money they raise
as revenue and you
file their cut
as expenditures.”
Cris Ericson would be
thrilled if corporations would
create SuperPACs to
promote her campaign!
Cris Ericson
879 Church Street
Chester, Vermont 05143
(802)875-4038
http://usmjp.com
usmjp@aceweb.com
Learn campaign finance law:
Out of state campaign
donations are legal.
http://www.sec.state.vt.us
http://www.leg.state.vt.us
http://www.fec.gov
http://www.opensecrets.org
Congrats Conn.
33 more to go.
Hey everyone, Oregon’s IP-24 campaign (a constitutional amendment which would legalize adult marijuana possession) is in serious need of donations.
They are very close to meeting the signature requirement but may have to cease operations as early as next week if funding doesn’t come through.
If you can kick in $20, $50, $100, it would be a big help. Donations can be made here:https://www.c-esystems.com/ompi/donation.aspx
When in Texas When in Texas ?
one small step for Connecticut, one big step for the USA XD.
In Connecticut the license application fee (non-refundable) for a marijuana clinic is $25k. The license application fee for a pharmacy that dispenses scheduled substances is $350.
I will be very glad when cannabis is a legal, regulated product like alcohol or tobacco, and medical dispensaries are not needed. This entire medical use only aspect maintains outrageously high prices and is being exploited by governments. It gives them yet another reason to resist legalization efforts.
Awesome job Connecticut.
Hallelujah Connecticut!
Yes, they passed the law but have you looked at the big negatives? I almost wish they had held out..
*$25,000 to get a producer license*
*Patients cannot cultivate*
OK folks its time to make a stand.
The only thing that can get things done is money and votes. Most of us have voting rights, some have money. If ya have some money to spare – contribute to Normal or a like organization and/or email this message to your elected officials and stand firm. Also send to like minded friends and family:
To the President, Members of the US Congress, State and local elected officials:
Criminal marijuana prohibition is a failure. Over 20 million Americans have been arrested for marijuana offenses since 1965 with over 800,000 arrests in 2010 and each year the number increases. The problem is getting worse – not because of the benign plant, but because of the obsolete laws. The time has come to amend criminal prohibition and replace it with a system of legalization, taxation, regulation, and education.
I can no longer vote for elected officials that support the the current laws. I have decided not to vote for any politician that does not publicly support the removal of all penalties for the private possession and endorse responsible use of marijuana by adults, including cultivation for personal use, and casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts.
Signed
Voting Citizen
& Member of the Movement
Now if only Minnesota would legalize.
Great news for connecticut patients !!!