MONTEL WILLIAMS PUSHES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Joins Lawmakers in Annapolis; Bill to Be Introduced This Week

An emotional Montel Williams joined state lawmakers Monday in
Annapolis to urge the General Assembly to legalize medical marijuana.

The Baltimore-born talk-show host suffers from multiple sclerosis and
says he uses marijuana - and nine other medications - every day to
alleviate pain. He said tearfully that traditional opiates don't work
for him any longer.

"I've used too many," he said.

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At his side were state Sens. Jamie Raskin, a Montgomery County
Democrat, and David Brinkley, a Frederick County Republican, both
cancer survivors. They said that while they don't use marijuana, they
can understand why some patients need it.

Also backing the proposal is Del. Dan Morhaim, a Baltimore County
Democrat who is the General Assembly's only physician.

"I'm convinced that marijuana has a real medical role," he
said.

The lawmakers said their legislation to legalize marijuana is tightly
crafted to limit marijuana use to patients who have been prescribed
the drug by their regular doctors after they have tried other remedies.

The bill is similar to legislation that passed the Senate
overwhelmingly last year but stalled in the House of Delegates.

Morhaim said that he took into account concerns expressed last year by
his fellow delegates. He said this year's bill further limits the ways
in which physicians can prescribe marijuana and explicitly prohibits
all use in motor vehicles.

The bill is slated to be introduced this week, its sponsors said. It
is expected to have bipartisan support.