Pubdate: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 Source: New Haven Register (CT) Copyright: 2013 New Haven Register Contact: http://www.nhregister.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/292 Author: Christine Stuart PANEL OKS MARIJUANA RULES HARTFORD - The packed hearing room erupted in cheers Tuesday when Regulations Review Committee members approved rules for how medical marijuana will be grown and dispensed in Connecticut. The voice vote came after more than two hours of questions about how the federal government would view the state's decision to regulate the industry and change how marijuana is classified. The vote clears the way for the Department of Consumer Protection to license three to 10 marijuana producers and dispensaries by January. Producers and dispensers will be able to apply for a license by the middle of September. The application period will last 60 days. Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein will then evaluate the applications and decide how many licenses to grant based on the number of patients physicians approve to use it. He said companies looking to grow marijuana will receive a license in January and could be distributing to patients by spring. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom