Connecticut committee to vote on medical marijuana

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A bill that would allow Connecticut adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes, if the drug is prescribed by their doctor, is facing another round of committee votes in the state legislature.

Members of the General Assembly's Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee are expected to vote on the bill Friday morning.

The bill proposes a system for licensing medical marijuana producers, dispensing the drug, and registering qualified patients. Under the proposed bill doctors could prescribe marijuana to patients who suffer from certain specified illnesses.

Bill supporters say marijuana should be legalized for medical purposes to help state residents with debilitating diseases, while opponents have raised concerns about federal intervention.

Last month, members of the state's Judiciary Committee voted in support of the bill.