BRUNO OKS POT-RX BILL

ALBANY -- Talk-show host Montel Williams brought his crusade to legalize
pot for medical purposes to the Capitol yesterday -- and quickly picked up
a powerful backer.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Rensselaer) endorsed a first-ever
Senate measure backing the plan after meeting with Williams.

Bruno said the time had come "to enact a medical marijuana law that allows
the drug to be used in tightly controlled instances."

Bruno, who described himself as "a cancer survivor" because of his recent
treatment for prostate cancer, said he was "confident" an agreement on the
measure would be reached with the Democrat-controlled Assembly.

Williams, who was diagnosed with MS in 1999 and has used marijuana to
relieve his suffering, lobbied dozens of lawmakers on behalf of the
proposed legislation.

"New York needs to act now to make marijuana legally available for medical
use," said Williams. "Every day that we delay is another day of needless
suffering for patients like me all across the state."

The Senate legislation backed by Bruno would allow doctors to authorize
patients to receive marijuana from hospitals, pharmacies, state and local
health departments, and from specially approved not-for-profit organizations.

The Assembly has approved similar measures in the past, but differences
over control and access to the marijuana remain to be negotiated.