US (CT): State to promote expanded medical marijuana research

Reforms to the state's medical marijuana program will allow Connecticut hospitals, universities, growers and dispensaries to conduct research into medical cannabis, supplementing the limited federal research available on the drug's palliative effects.

The Department of Consumer Protection will begin accepting research proposals Oct. 1. The move is part of a number of changes to the medical marijuana law, including a provision to allow patients under 18 to use the drug.

"The state's medical marijuana program is not only providing patients suffering from serious diseases, and their doctors, an alternative treatment option, it's creating good jobs in the state," Jonathan Harris, commissioner of the agency, said in a statement. "With this new research program, Connecticut could become the focal point for medical cannabis research and add to the strong bio-tech base already here."

Ethan Ruby, founder and CEO of Theraplant, a medical marijuana grower in Watertown, said in testimony before the legislature's public health committee that the change in law "will allow us to do even more to find cures and relief for those that are suffering from debilitating conditions and gives Connecticut the opportunity to receive national recognition for the research to be done in this state."

Read more at the Hartford Courant