Medical marijuana bill passes in Connecticut

Connecticut’s legislature passed a bill this weekend that would legalize the use of medical marijuana in the state. While several other states have similar laws, Connecticut is putting more restrictions on the dispensing of the drug.

The new law allows only state-registered patients or their caregivers to obtain marijuana from dispensaries, which would obtain marijuana from licensed producers. In addition, only pharmacists can apply to dispense marijuana on behalf of the dispensaries.

“We don’t want Connecticut to follow the path pursued by some other states, which essentially would legalize marijuana for anyone willing to find the right doctor and get the right prescription. Under this proposal…the Department of Consumer Protection will be able to carefully regulate and monitor the medicinal use of this drug, in order to avoid the problems encountered in some other states,” said Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy in a statement.

Medicine Dispensing Systems in Hollywood, Calif., a subsidiary of Medbox Inc., says it plans to assist companies that open “legal and fully compliant” medical marijuana clinics in Connecticut.

The company provides patented, technology-based dispensing solutions, which “have gained acceptance in every state where the product is now legal,” according to a statement from the company, which also adds that it is “considered the gold standard of how medical marijuana can be handled legally, transparently, and in full compliance with all state and local laws and regulations.”