DENVER – Governor Polis signed a bill into law Tuesday that will add autism spectrum disorder to the list of conditions that allow patients to use medical marijuana.
Qualifying medical conditions include cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, seizures, PTSD, and a few others. Now autism spectrum disorder will be added to the list as well.
Autism spectrum disorders include autism, Asperger syndrome and other developmental disorders whose symptoms range from mild to severe.
The law makes it easier for minors with disabling conditions to be added to Colorado’s medical marijuana registry. It also encourages state research into medical marijuana’s effectiveness in treating ovarian cancer, dementia, and other medical conditions.
HB19-1028 was approved by the Senate in its third and final reading almost two weeks ago and was sent to the Governor’s desk last Thursday.
Former Governor John Hickenlooper vetoed similar legislation last year saying there is no scientific evidence that supports the benefits of medical marijuana for people with autism.
Governor Polis had previously pledged he would sign the bill into law.
