Medical Marijuana Bill Gets Legislative Support

A key committee approved a bill that would allow adults to legally use marijuana for medical purposes, if the drug is prescribed by their doctor.

Members of the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee voted 35-to-8 in support of the bill Wednesday.

This year's bill proposes a system for licensing medical marijuana producers, dispensing the drug, and registering qualified patients with debilitating conditions. Some lawmakers have voiced concerns that the bill would sidestep federal laws that classify the drug as an illegal substance.

In an hour-long discussion before the committee vote, opponents raised concerns on how the proposed state law would operate with the federal statute.

A new poll shows a sizeable majority of Connecticut voters support legalizing medical marijuana.