A bill sponsored by Colorado state Representatives Edie Hooton (Boulder-D) and Kim Ransom, (Littleton-R) would allow autism spectrum disorder to be added to the list of conditions that qualify patients to receive medical marijuana cards.
The bill passed the health committee with an overwhelming vote of 10-1. It would also drop the requirement that children need to seek a medical marijuana diagnosis from at least one primary care pediatrician, physician or psychiatrist. Two doctors however would still need to say the child has a “disabling medical condition.”
“What compels me to bring this bill to you is the suffering these families endure,” Hooton said.
“For me, this is a parents’ rights issue,” Ransom said.
While 10 people approved the bill, Rep. Yadira Caraveo said no. The vice chair of the committee as well as a physician, stated, “My primary concern is these decisions are being driven outside the medical home.”
The new bill will now go to the House floor for debate.
