Gov. John Hickenlooper on Tuesday set a new benchmark for vetoes in a year as he rejected a measure that would have provided medical marijuana access for people with autism spectrum disorder, saying he could not ignore “overwhelming concerns from the medical community.”

“If we sign that bill we end up, without question, in some way encouraging more young people to look at this as an antidote for their problems,” he told reporters before turning down the legislation, House Bill 1263.

The measure would have added autism spectrum disorder to the list of conditions eligible in Colorado for medical marijuana treatment, a list that includes cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, post-traumatic stress or certain chronic or debilitating diseases or medical conditions with certain symptoms.

State lawmakers cannot override Hickenlooper’s veto because they are no longer in session.

According to legislative fiscal analysts, 93,314 people were authorized to use medical marijuana in Colorado as of the end of February, 314 of whom were under age 18.

The governor’s office says Hickenlooper on Tuesday met with families of children with autism as he weighed whether to sign House Bill 1263. [Read more at The Denver Post]