Colorado authorizes medical marijuana use for autism

Colorado has added autism spectrum disorders to the list of disabling medical conditions eligible for medical marijuana treatment.

Gov. Jared Polis signed a bipartisan bill into law Tuesday.

Autism spectrum disorders include autism, Asperger syndrome and other developmental disorders whose symptoms range from mild to severe.

Colorado law also allows medical marijuana use for cancer, glaucoma, HIV, PTSD, seizures and severe pain.

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.

Then-Gov. John Hickenlooper vetoed a similar bill last year, citing a need for more research.