WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA?
Only Connecticut residents whose eligibility is certified by a physician are allowed to purchase medical marijuana. The physician must certify that a patient has been diagnosed with a condition that qualifies for the use of medical marijuana and that, in his or her opinion, the potential benefits of the palliative use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks of such use. For a current list of the requirements and specific debilitating medical conditions that would qualify a patient, please visit this link.
WHAT WILL A PHYSICIAN HAVE TO DO TO CERTIFY THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR A PATIENT?
Physicians will not “prescribe” marijuana in the same way other medications are prescribed to patients. The Department of Consumer Protection will develop a form that a physician may use to issue a written certification that a particular patient has been diagnosed with a disease that makes the patient eligible for the palliative use of marijuana.
The next step would be a medically reasonable assessment of the patient’s medical history and medical condition, taking into consideration the potential benefits to the patient from the palliative use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks. This assessment will have to be made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship. In addition, the physician will have to explain the potential risks and benefits of palliative marijuana use to the patient or their legal guardian.
WHO WILL GROW THE MARIJUANA?
Only producers licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection will be authorized under the bill to cultivate marijuana. At any one time, the number of licensed producers will have to be at least three and not more than 10. The Department of Consumer Protection has established regulations setting out the qualifications for licensed producers. Among other things, any person seeking to be licensed as a producer will have to demonstrate they have the financial capacity to build and operate a secure indoor facility that could grow pharmaceutical-grade marijuana and the ability to maintain adequate controls to prevent the diversion, theft or loss of the marijuana in their facility.
For further details about the program and to view the instructions for signing up for email alerts from DCP regarding this program, visit the designated DCP website page for the Medical Marijuana Program.
For information on Connecticut’s Recreational Adult-use Cannabis law, visit the 2-1-1 eLibrary paper: Connecticut’s Legalized Recreational Marijuana (Cannabis) Law – United Way of Connecticut – 211 and eLibrary (211ct.org)
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT’S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by Agency or Program Name:
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SOURCES: State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
PREPARED BY: 211/ch
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: August2022