Medical marijuana bill moves forward

HARTFORD -- People with chronic diseases would be allowed to grow up to four marijuana plants for their personal use, under legislation that won easy approval Tuesday in the Judiciary Committee.

Based on other laws enacted throughout the nation, patients would have to be diagnosed with debilitating conditions; obtain certificates from doctors; and register with the state department of Consumer Protection for a $25 fee.

The legislation sparked an hour-long committee debate in which an amendment submitted by minority Republicans that would shift the growing of marijuana to the University of New Haven and the distribution to state pharmacies, was defeated 27-10 in the Democrat-dominated committee.

The bill, which goes on to other committees before eventual debates in the House and Senate, is part of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget package. He would be expected to sign the bill. Similar legislation was vetoed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell in 2007.