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Connecticut Lawmakers Consider Allowing Medical Marijuana For Children

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would eliminate the age restriction on medical marijuana.

Several parents and their young children recently testified before lawmakers in Hartford on the need to remove the 18-year-old age restriction, WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported.

The Judiciary Committee is now considering the bill. Rep. William Tong, the panel's co-chair, said the testimony from some of the children suffering epileptic seizures was heartbreaking.

Connecticut Lawmakers Consider Allowing Medical Marijuana For Children

"Hearing the testimony from the kids, from the parents, seeing the children, I think we've got to do what we can," said Tong, D-Stamford, noting he voted against decriminalization of marijuana.

Tong said he sees no reason why children should be deprived of relief through prescribed marijuana oils, adding that pharmaceutical drugs don't seem to help.

Connecticut approved medical marijuana in 2012, and sales began in September.

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