People suffering from ALS, Fabry Disease, and Ulcerative Colitis would be allowed to use medical marijuana in Connecticut under proposed regulations being drafted by the state Department of Consumer Protection.
Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan Harris said last month that his agency is drafting the regulations, which would have a hearing and public comment period before being sent to the attorney general for review and ultimately sent to the legislature’s Regulation Review Committee for a final vote.
The three conditions that would be added to those that qualify for medical marijuana use were reviewed and voted on in April by the Medical Marijuana Program’s Board of Physicians, which operates within DCP, according to Harris.
ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and eventually leads to paralysis and death.
Fabry Disease is an inherited disorder caused by the buildup of a certain type of fat. Symptoms include pain, especially in the hands and feet, gastrointestinal problems and ringing in the ears, among others. It can cause complications including kidney damage, heart attack and stroke.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic ailment in which the colon becomes inflamed and develops small, open sores. The disease can cause abdominal pain. It is caused by an abnormal response by the body’s immune system.
Earlier this year, DCP began the process to add several other ailments, including Sickle Cell Disease, to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana use, according to Harris.
As of June 5, there are 4,097 Connecticut residents participating in the medical marijuana program.