cannabisnews.com: Montel Williams Pushes for Medicinal Marijuana





Montel Williams Pushes for Medicinal Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on May 10, 2005 at 16:28:25 PT
By John Moreno Gonzales, Allbany Bureau
Source: Newsday 
Albany, N.Y. -- Television talk-show host and multiple-sclerosis patient Montel Williams lobbied Tuesday for the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes, joining state lawmakers who say the intoxicant is a credible pain killer."New York needs to act now to make marijuana legally available for medical use," said Williams, a Manhattan resident who said he has been buying the drug legally through a state-sanctioned commune in California. "Every day that we delay is another day of needless suffering for patients like me across the state."
State Sen. Vincent L. Leibell (R-Patterson) and Assemb. Richard N. Gottfried (D-Manhattan) flanked the star, along with elected and health officials who outlined a proposal that would allow cerpatients with life-threatening conditions to be prescribed the drug by certified practitioners.Their backing was reinforced by the support of Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, who issued a statement late in the day saying he had met with Williams and medical experts and was convinced that a bill permitting medical marijuana use "in tightly controlled instances" must be passed before the legislative session ends next month.Under the proposal, now being debated in health committees in the Senate and Assembly, a practitioner must determine that no other medication would be as effective for a patient as marijuana. Licensed nonprofit organizations would grow the drug under stringent oversight to guard against illicit sale. Additionally, a patient's possession of the drug would be limited to 2.25 ounces and it could not be used in a public place.Despite the safeguards, opponents of the proposal yesterday characterized Williams as a renegade, and said the proposal was designed to lead to a more expansive legalization of the drug."Here we have a person who is breaking the law trying to set policy," Mike Long, chairman of the Conservative Party of New York State, said of Williams. "Many people who advocate for this are really ultimately looking to liberalize the use of marijuana, to have it become acceptable."Twelve other states now allow the medicinal use of marijuana, and the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule shortly on whether those laws are subject to a federal ban. Bruno's support for the proposal and what Gottfried called strong support in the Assembly means a bill could end up on the governor's desk.Williams said yesterday that he met with Gov. George Pataki a month ago and the governor promised to re-examine what had been opposition to medical marijuana. Yesterday, the governor's office deferred its opinion about the proposal to the New York State Department of Health, which advises the executive on the matter."We remain skeptical of the use of medical marijuana, but we continue to monitor the issue," said health department spokesman Bill Van Slyke. Source: Newsday (NY)Author:  John Moreno Gonzales, Allbany BureauPublished: May 11, 2005Copyright: 2005 Newsday Inc.Contact: letters newsday.comWebsite: http://www.newsday.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Montel Williams Opens Up about Med Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20658.shtmlGOP 'Joint' Resolutionhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20642.shtmlMarijuana Advocates Play It Straight in D.C.http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20629.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #7 posted by Taylor121 on May 10, 2005 at 19:32:31 PT
Raich Case
Raich delay may cause nervousness in some parts...In USA Today.One of the most closely watched decisions involves whether states can shield medical marijuana users from federal prosecution on drug charges. The case, which was heard last November, pits the conservative anti-drug interests of the Bush administration against conservative principles of states' rights. [...] While many believe the court will back the federal government in the marijuana case, its delay in issuing an opinion so far offers states' rights advocates hope that justices are wary of further extending federal authority, said Pepperdine law professor Doug Kmiec, a former Justice Department official under President Reagan and the first President Bush. "It may suggest that the expansive assertion of government power asserted by the Bush administration was deeply troubling to the justices, or at least that the issue is so close that the wording of opinions is being examined and negotiated with far more than the usual care," he said.
 
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-10-scotus-whats-left_x.htm
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by Taylor121 on May 10, 2005 at 19:31:02 PT
Montel! 
Williams said yesterday that he met with Gov. George Pataki a month ago and the governor promised to re-examine what had been opposition to medical marijuana. Yesterday, the governor's office deferred its opinion about the proposal to the New York State Department of Health, which advises the executive on the matter.http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/nyc-stmont0511,0,59868.story?coll=ny-entertainment-headlinesThe Governor has never liked the idea of medical marijuana. Montel is actually keeping the debate alive. I wonder where we will be in this movement 5 years from now.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by The GCW on May 10, 2005 at 18:20:06 PT
Is My Medicine Legal YET?
US: PUB LTE: Legal Marijuana Favors Patients' Interest
Pubdate: Tue, 10 May 2005Source: USA Today (US)http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n757/a04.html?397Author: Gary StorckLEGAL MARIJUANA FAVORS PATIENTS' INTEREST Along with other patients from around the country, I was able to join talk show host Montel Williams, Angel Raich, Irv Rosenfeld and a number of congressional representatives as Williams made his plea for legal access to medical marijuana ( "Montel urges Congress on medical marijuana," USATODAY.com, Thursday ). It is sad that something so critical to many Americans health and well-being is being withheld by politics. Another article in USA TODAY talked of how elderly U.S. patients are put at risk by clinical testing that excludes them in favor of younger patients ( "A bitter pill for older patients." Cover story", Life, Thursday ). Elderly patients are more likely to encounter adverse reactions from conventional medications because of slowed metabolisms and other consequences of aging. The Food and Drug Administration's litany of recalls and drug warnings points up the need for non-toxic alternatives like marijuana. Washington politicians not only claim we have the best health care in the world but tout this nation's commitment to democracy, liberty and freedom. These will remain just claims until our lawmakers restores the freedom to use cannabis as medicine that they revoked with the passage of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970. Gary Storck, co-founder Is My Medicine Legal YET? Madison, Wis. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by mayan on May 10, 2005 at 18:01:25 PT
Mike Long = Paid Liar
"Here we have a person who is breaking the law trying to set policy," Mike Long, chairman of the Conservative Party of New York State, said of Williams. "Many people who advocate for this are really ultimately looking to liberalize the use of marijuana, to have it become acceptable."Does Mike Long think that Montel wants to break the law? Montel is trying to change the law so that he won't have to break the law! Perhaps Montel could have Mr. Long on his show? Yeah, right. Mike Long is a paid liar and his handlers would never allow him to put himself and his lies under a spot-light. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by Jose MElendez on May 10, 2005 at 17:45:20 PT
such a simple process
All I had to do was proofread . . . thanks for _speaking_ out far more eloquently and forcefully than I, Mr. Williams.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by Jose Melendez on May 10, 2005 at 17:43:20 PT
"Justice". Right.
Thanks for speking out, Montel. Does it appear clear to everyone yet that Altria and Big Pharma have, as they say, motive and opportunity?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 10, 2005 at 17:28:42 PT
Montel Williams
 I really appreciate Montel stepping out in the fire line for us. 
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment