A bill which would expand the state's medical marijuana program to children with certain medical conditions received mixed reviews during a public hearing before the legislature's Public Health Committee this week. 

Lawmakers heard emotional testimony from parents of children suffering from various debilitating conditions, saying the drug can stop violent seizures.

Wilton Senator Toni Boucher is against the bill.  She says her main opposition is that children, whose bodies are still developing, would be exposed to a substance which has been linked to numerous health complications even in adults.  Boucher says marijuana use has been linked to heart problems in young adults, suppression of the immune system and an even to increased instances of stroke in young users.

She says there are many experts that note the lack of rigorous scientific study on the safety and effectiveness of marijuana as medicine.

The state Department of Consumer Protection is requiring some language in the bill to protect the agency from legal penalties, maybe anticipating some problems in the future.