cannabisnews.com: Montel Williams Makes Emotional Plea for Marijuana





Montel Williams Makes Emotional Plea for Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on March 23, 2007 at 14:11:47 PT
By The Associated Press 
Source: Associated Press
Hartford, Conn. -- Syndicated television talk show host Montel Williams choked back tears Friday as he urged Connecticut lawmakers to pass a bill legalizing marijuana use for medical purposes.Williams, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, said he uses marijuana in various forms to help alleviate intense pain and debilitating symptoms.
"I have to pray that the local law enforcement gives me a right of passage back to my state. Because when I walk out of here, I will smoke pot," said the New York resident."I have to stay ahead of the pain," he said.Lawmakers are again considering a bill that legalizes marijuana use for people suffering from certain debilitating medical conditions diagnosed by a doctor. This year's version would allow residents at least 18 years old to cultivate up to four plants in a secure, indoor facility.According to the Marijuana Policy Project, 11 states allow patients to use marijuana despite federal laws against it. A 12th state, Maryland, protects patients from jail but not arrest.Connecticut already has a medical marijuana law, one of the first in the nation. Under the 1981 law, a doctor can prescribe the illegal drug to relieve nausea associated with chemotherapy and eye pressure from glaucoma.But the law is unworkable because, under federal law, a physician who prescribes marijuana can be sent to prison and risks having his or her medical license revoked.Proponents said they're hopeful the bill will pass this year. It has already cleared one legislative committee."I feel legislators are finally at the place where they want to act compassionately with this law," said Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, R-Somers, who said she risked arrest more than 20 years ago to get marijuana for her husband, who eventually died of bone cancer.Rep. Marie Kirkley-Bey, D-Hartford, said she has become a convert on the issue after two of her cousins recently died of cancer. She said both suffered extreme pain."It took a life-changing experience to realize," Kirkley-Bey said. "I was being small-minded on this issue."But some at the Capitol said Friday the bill sends the wrong message about drug use, especially to young people."These people come here to this legislature talking about pain. You don't know what pain is until you've lost a son," said Steven Steiner of New York, founder of Americans for a Drug Free Youth, whose 19-year-old son died from prescription drug overdose. Steiner said his son had begun using marijuana when he was 13.Rep. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, held a news conference earlier in the morning to counter Williams' appearance at the Capitol. While she contends marijuana may alleviate the symptoms of some medical conditions for some patients, Boucher said she believes legalizing marijuana for medical purposes will ultimately lead to full legalization of the drug.Boucher also questioned why the state would condone smoking of the drug, which she claimed poses an additional health risk to patients."It makes no sense, no matter how many celebrities we have in this building," said Boucher, who only supports the medical use of marijuana for terminally ill people. She said others can use marijuana in a pill or spray.Rep. Lawrence Miller, R-Stratford, said he decided against "smoking some kind of a weed" after being diagnosed eight years ago with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cell. Miller said, through trial and error, he found the right drugs to stave off the symptoms."Medical marijuana, it's still marijuana - put any name in front of it that you want," Miller said. "I think we should just stick with the doctors."Williams ticked off a laundry list of powerful prescription drugs he takes daily. He said it's the marijuana that works the best. He mixes the plant into cookies, smokes it in the evenings before he sleeps, and drinks a liquid form during the day."I don't get the buzz, I don't get the high," Williams said. "Right now, all it does for me is stop the pain."Complete Title: Montel Williams Makes Emotional Plea for Medical Marijuana Bill Source: Associated Press (Wire)Published:  March 23, 2007Copyright: 2007 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:Montel Williams Showhttp://www.montelshow.com/ Montel Williams MS Foundationhttp://www.montelms.org/ Judiciary Panel OKs Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22790.shtmlLawmakers Resurrect Bill To Allow MMJ Use http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22788.shtml
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Comment #14 posted by observer on March 23, 2007 at 21:39:15 PT
Sticking with the Jailers
"Medical marijuana, it's still marijuana - put any name in front of it that you want," Miller said. "I think we should just stick with the doctors."Here's what he really means: "I think we should just stick with the jailers."Gotcha.
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Comment #13 posted by Toker00 on March 23, 2007 at 19:16:42 PT
Cannabis 
sends a stronger message by it's self than all the negative little "messages" the Anti's are trying to "send" to children combined. Instead of "sending" the children "messages" why not, instead, set out a program in school that educates them about the true dangers of drugs, both legal and illegal, and dispells the myths about cannabis. I would think second grade on...first grade doesn't need to be littered with messages. It's hard enough for some of them to understand and memorize all the symbols of the alhpabet and how to spell their own names. (Or is that done in Pre-school now? Sorry. I'm from the OLD school. Where they actually TAUGHT us about our Constitutional rights instead of VIOLATING them.)Toke. 
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Comment #12 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 23, 2007 at 18:52:58 PT
All They Do Is Make Statements
The marijuana haters don't answer any questions. Hater Statement: Authorizing medical marijuana will lead to full legalization.Enlightened Question: Really? What's wrong with legalizing marijuana? By the way, the children are already smoking it. Don't worry so much about the MESSAGE. A message is just a form of communication.
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on March 23, 2007 at 18:14:56 PT
Toker00
I understand what you are saying. I only mentioned why I have sympathy is because I know he is tormented and that is sad. 
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Comment #10 posted by Toker00 on March 23, 2007 at 18:07:46 PT
FoM
I don't have a problem with forgiving him when he turns toward the Truth and away from these Demonizing lies he spews about this plant. And the sympathy will surely be there for him, too, when he does. But just as I wouldn't offer comfort to the enemy, I won't offer a closed hearted man sympathy. I realize there is a terrible grieving time after loss and decisions are not made out of logic, but out of emotion. The only emotion I know that would make someone else suffer for your pain, is Hate. I just haven't progressed enough spiritually to honestly love someone who hates me. But I'll try, k?Toke.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on March 23, 2007 at 16:27:11 PT
Sam 
We really do have a problem with the blame game in our country. Life is full of dangerous curves. Most of us can look back and think wow that could have killed me when thinking of some of the dumb things we've done. Some people don't get to look back but a law isn't going to fix it and make it the right thing to do. Life is good but it can be tragic but it's life.
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Comment #8 posted by Sam Adams on March 23, 2007 at 16:15:49 PT
FOM your heart is bigger than his
I would like to help a person like this (the father). I would not like to be turned against him. It would make me feel good to help him, to help take the place of his son. That is my natural, human instinctive reaction to someone like this.It's hard to accept that he is traveling around, helping the government to actually conduct war against people like me - medical cannabis users.I would never take the bad things (medical malpractice) that's happened to me and try to project that against other people's misfortune or pain. Turning it into some kind of pissing contest. "My pain is worse than yours".He should travel around speaking directly to high school kids about dangerous drugs.  There's nothing wrong with that. I remember some people like him came to talk to us in school about drunk driving and people they had lost, and it really affected me in a positive way. They weren't bullying me, or asking the government to punish me, as this guy is.It's our top-down, monotheistic government culture that exploits tragedies like this. We've somehow got to change the whole notion of how we live together. The full talents & virtues of humanity come to fruition when each individual is left to seek their own path, not when one entity tries to bully everyone or impose their thoughts on us.
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Comment #7 posted by FoM on March 23, 2007 at 16:05:46 PT
Toker00
Thank you. I do have sympathy for him because he must be tormented. It's vital for healing from a tragedy that a person forgives. He can't find peace until he let's it go.
When he lets it go he won't want to help those who want to lock everyone up for everything.
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Comment #6 posted by RevRayGreen on March 23, 2007 at 15:50:59 PT
Many thanks Montel
now please come to Iowa and visit our legislature and
the two Govt pateints that reside here.......or
our rally May 5th....RRG
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Comment #5 posted by Toker00 on March 23, 2007 at 15:49:39 PT
FoM
Bless you. Hate is at the top of a list of about Seven Deadly Sins. This man is a shining example of why. Where is his sympathy for the others who suffer death for the same curiosity his son had? Where is his SYMPATHY for anyone else besides himself? It ain't there. The Sorceryceutical Companies sucked it out and replaced it with Hate and a Corporate paycheck for the swap out.Sorry. I don't have sympathy for a sighted man who chooses to be blind.Toke.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 23, 2007 at 15:04:17 PT
Just a Comment
"These people come here to this legislature talking about pain. You don't know what pain is until you've lost a son," said Steven Steiner of New York, founder of Americans for a Drug Free Youth, whose 19-year-old son died from prescription drug overdose. Steiner said his son had begun using marijuana when he was 13.***I know the pain of losing a son so I feel I can comment. I lost my son to Aids so should I be angry with people who are Gay? My loss is personal and I wouldn't allow myself to start to hate and then try to make laws against Gays.Why is a parents loss of a child used to hurt other people's children who might smoke marijuana and might go on to legal, pharmaceutical prescription drugs? I do not understand hate like this. Hate will kill a person if they don't get it checked.
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Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on March 23, 2007 at 14:55:12 PT
I beg to differ
"These people come here to this legislature talking about pain. You don't know what pain is until you've lost a son," said Steven Steiner of New York, founder of Americans for a Drug Free Youth, whose 19-year-old son died from prescription drug overdose. Steiner said his son had begun using marijuana when he was 13."Really? I'll bet some the burning, aching, and stabbing sensations that chronic pain sufferers have would send you crying to Mommie, pal.Yet another one of these people advocating for criminal prohibition with kids who starting smoking herb at 13. He died at 19. Well, you had six years to turn him in, what were you waiting for? I guess you want OTHER family's kids to get arrested and jailed, eh?I am truly sorry for this guy's heartbreaking loss, but that doesn't give him a license to punish ME for it.Maybe he should have encouraged Junior to stick with the cannabis early on. It's definitely a lot easier for teens to hide odorless pills than fragrant herb. But that was probably the kid's only option when Daddy-O started cracking down. I wonder why the kid was so miserable? Hmmmm.......
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Comment #2 posted by Toker00 on March 23, 2007 at 14:47:47 PT
God Created Medical Cannabis. It's killed no one.
Man Created Franken(sorcery)ceuticals. They kill and maim thousands of people from life threatening side-effects treating the same thing Smoked Cannabis treats with euphoric side-effects and greater success.Just one question.WHO DO YOU TRUST?Thank you Creator for Cannabis/Hemp, the wonderful Conscience Enlightening, Life giving, Tree. You done good, God.  Toke.
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Comment #1 posted by fight_4_freedom on March 23, 2007 at 14:39:21 PT:
Go Montel!
"These people come here to this legislature talking about pain. You don't know what pain is until you've lost a son," said Steven Steiner of New York, founder of Americans for a Drug Free Youth, whose 19-year-old son died from prescription drug overdose. Steiner said his son had begun using marijuana when he was 13."And what does her Son's tragic death from our own government made pills have to do with legalizing a natural, God-given plant that nobody has EVER overdosed from?It's unreal the stuff they have to bring to the table to try and defend themselves.
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