Metro Briefing

MANHATTAN: MEDICAL MARIJUANA BACKED

District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau, left, announced his support
yesterday for the medical use of marijuana during an unusual news
conference with the talk-show host Montel Williams. They joined forces to
support legislation in the State Assembly that would legalize the use of
marijuana for the treatment of illnesses. Ten states allow such use now.
"Morphine, codeine and other controlled substances have been available for
years to those who are in pain and for other medical purposes," said Mr.
Morgenthau. "Medical marijuana should join the list of carefully monitored
drugs that should be made available to those in need." Mr. Williams, who
suffers from multiple sclerosis, was overcome with emotion as he described
the severe pain for which he uses legally prescribed marijuana, saying,
"There are times I can barely put my feet on the floor." Mr. Morgenthau
said he had been swayed in part by one of his daughters, a medical doctor
at a drug treatment program in a hospital in the city, who approves of
medical marijuana. Asked by a reporter if he had ever used marijuana
himself, Mr. Morgenthau, 84, blushed. After howls of laughter died down,
Mr. Morgenthau smiled and said, "I missed that generation."