A new medical marijuana dispensary is set to open in Milford this week.

Southern Connecticut Wellness and Healing is located on New Haven Avenue. The owners say it was a great location because they can serve patients in Fairfield and New Haven counties.

State officials say more than 11,000 patients in Connecticut qualify for the medical marijuana program right now. Patients must be over 18 and have one of the medical conditions approved by the state.

"I have cancer and it helps me with the spasms of the diaphragm so I don't have to hiccup as much," Jim Kauders says. 

The dispensary's owners say there is a growing demand. Another location on West River Street is also set to open in the next couple months.

The state says the locations were chosen based on several factors, including the applicant's experience and business plan. They also say security measures were a big factor in deciding where dispensaries would be placed throughout the state. 

At the dispensaries in Milford, there is a camera outside and there also is an intercom system to buzz people into the building. Once inside, patients must prove they are registered with the medical marijuana program and show ID before they can even get into the waiting room.

The owners say there is one more inspection that needs to be done before they can open.