While a measure to decriminalize the possession of small amounts appears to be losing steam, a bill to legalize the use of pot for medicinal purposes is moving ahead.
The medical marijuana bill cleared another key committee this afternoon. By a vote of 32 to 14, the measure cleared the legislature's finance committee. It has already received the endorsements of the public health and judiciary committees.
Unlike the decriminalization bill, the medical marijuana measure has bipartisan support. In finance, Reps. Bill Aman, Clark Chapin, Livvy Floren, John Piscopo and Sen. Tony Guglielmo all voted in favor of the bill.
The measure, which now goes to the state Senate for a vote, would prevent the state from prosecuting people for possession of marijuana if they had written certification from their physician allowing them to use it. A patient would need to be certified as having a debilitating condition, such as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. The bill would allow the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana, and up to four marijuana plants, provided they were no more than 4 feet high.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed a medical marijuana bill in 2007. This year's bill has Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's support.