Connecticut closer to adding chronic pain for medical marijuana use

A Connecticut physicians panel recommended adding chronic pain that has lasted at least six months as a qualifying condition to use medical cannabis, which, if adopted, could provide a significant shot in the arm to the fast-growing market.

The board of physicians also voted to recommend adding Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a group of disorders that affects connective tissues and can be painful.

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull officially accepted the board’s recommendations, which now await additional reviews and ultimately a vote by the General Assembly’s Regulations Review Committee over the coming weeks.

Chronic pain generally is a leading sales driver for MMJ markets.

Connecticut already has approved a long list of qualifying conditions, including a number of pain categories.

The physicians did not recommend adding night terrors and parasomnia to the list of eligible conditions.

Currently, 40,000 patients are enrolled in Connecticut’s medical marijuana program.

Marijuana Business Factbook projects that MMJ sales in Connecticut will reach $100 million-$120 million this year, up from $75 million-$90 million in 2018.

– Associated Press and Marijuana Business Daily