Migraines accepted for medical marijuana program

There are over 18,000 patients enrolled in Connecticut’s medical marijuana program. The program’s board of physicians this week recommended including patients with chronic migraine headaches. It could be months before they are allowed to join the program, however. less There are over 18,000 patients enrolled in Connecticut’s medical marijuana program. The program’s board of physicians this week recommended including patients with chronic migraine headaches. It could be ... more Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Buy photo Photo: Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Migraines accepted for medical marijuana program 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

HARTFORD — Patients with intractable migraines and two other afflictions have been recommended for inclusion in the state’s five-year-old medical marijuana program.

The program’s board of physicians voted on the ailments after public hearings Wednesday. The recommendations go to Michelle H. Seagull, commissioner of the Department of Consumer Protection who is a non-voting member of the board, for final review. If she accepts the recommendations, it could still be months before they are written into state regulations.

The board approved Hydrocephalus, a brain blockage that causes headaches; Trigeminal Neuralgia, which causes facial nerve pain; and migraines. The doctors turned down requests for those with anxiety disorders and Menieres Disease, an inner-ear affliction that can result in vertigo.

"The primary goal of our medical marijuana program is, and has always been, to provide high quality health care," said Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. "We value, and care very deeply about input from patients, and the medical community. We’re proud that our program continues its thoughtful expansion through processes like these public hearings. I want to thank those who testified for attending yesterday's meeting, and the Board of Physicians for their service and recommendations."

There are now 18,198 medical marijuana patients and 693 registered physicians.

There are 22 conditions approved for adults and six for those under 18 who may use extracted formed of cannabis.

Four conditions approved in January are still going through the regulation process and will become part of the program when they are adopted by the legislative Regulation Review Committee.

kdixon@ctpost.com; Twitter: @KenDixonCT