This veto probably caught legislators by surprise, but the Governor found enough flaws with the bill to veto it. From the Courant:

Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed legislation Tuesday that would have legalized the medical use of marijuana, saying that the bill was a well-intended, but flawed attempt to alleviate suffering.

“I am not unfamiliar with the incredible pain and heartbreak associated with battling cancer,” said Rell, who was treated for breast cancer 2½ years ago. “I have struggled with the decision about signing or vetoing this bill.”

The legislation would have allowed patients with conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis or AIDS to grow up to four marijuana plants in their homes with a doctor’s prescription.

But in a three-page veto message, Rell said her sympathies for those with unmanageable pain did not overcome her concern that citizens still would have to break the law to obtain marijuana or marijuana seeds.

“There are no pharmacies, storefronts or mail order catalogs where patients or caregivers can legally purchase marijuana plants or seeds,” Rell said. “I am troubled by the fact that in essence, this bill forces law-abiding citizens to seek out drug dealers to make their marijuana purchases.”

Medical marijuana is supported by 83 percent of residents, according to a poll by the University of Connecticut Center for Survey Research and Analysis.

The bill passed easily, 89-58 in the House and 23-13 in the Senate. But supporters are short of the votes necessary for a veto override: 24 in the Senate and 101 in the House.

It seems essentially that Rell is saying, commercialize the production of medical marijuana. But that wasn’t a problem for California. Here’s a link to an overview on California’s law. http://www.igs.berkeley.edu/library/htMedicalMarijuana2003.html