Children under age 18 with specific debilitating conditions are one step closer to being allowed access to certain forms of medical marijuana .  The state House of Representatives voted 129 to 13 this week to allow minors access to non-smokeable marijuana if they have approval from two physicians. 

The conditions in the bill include terminal illness, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, uncontrolled intractable seizure disorders, or irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity.

Medical marijuana was legalized in Connecticut in 2012.  There are several dispensaries in the state, including one in Bethel.  Statewide, there are more than 9,400 registered patients in the program.

Proponents argued that while this bill will only help a handful of people, it has the potential to be life altering.  Opponents said doctors are being put in a bad position because they would have to violate federal law by prescribing an illegal substance. 

Redding Representative John Shaban, New Fairfield Representative Richard Smith and Monroe Representative JP Sredzinski voted against the bill.