cannabisnews.com: NY Rethinking Its Ban on Medical Marijuana NY Rethinking Its Ban on Medical Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on May 05, 2004 at 09:17:04 PT By Dionne Searcey, Albany Bureau Source: Newsday Albany -- The Republican leader of the State Senate said yesterday he was warming to legalizing the use of medical marijuana, opening the door for movement on an issue that has been stalled here for years.The new sentiment from Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R-Brunswick) came on a day when Assembly Democrats offered a measure that earned support from key medical and health associations and after TV personality Montel Williams met with legislative leaders. Bruno said his change of heart may be in part due to his own bout with prostate cancer last year. "Your life experiences can add to how you legislate," Bruno said, adding that he would closely review the measure.The bill is more tightly defined than previous versions, and supporters said it would meet less resistance than in the past.Gov. George Pataki said he would base his decision on the issue on whether science proves marijuana treatments to be effective. His health department was skeptical, he said, "but we'll continue to listen to evidence on both sides."Nine states allow medical marijuana, and in October the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a ruling that bars federal officials from punishing doctors who recommend marijuana.The new measure, which Assemb. Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) retooled after first introducing it in 1997, would limit eligibility to patients with serious, life-threatening illnesses. The marijuana would be allowed only after other drugs failed, and patients would be limited to possessing eight ounces. The law would expire in three years. "It's a medical issue that should be decided by doctors and patients," said Gottfried, chairman of the health committee.At a news conference yesterday, Williams described the pain in his legs and feet from multiple sclerosis that only marijuana seems to soothe. "I'm breaking the law every day, and I'll continue to break the law every day," Williams said. "It's the only way I can stand here now." Source: Newsday (NY)Author: Dionne Searcey, Albany BureauPublished: May 5, 2004Copyright: 2004 Newsday Inc.Contact: letters newsday.comWebsite: http://www.newsday.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Montel Williams Showhttp://www.montelshow.com/Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmTalk Show Host Lobbies in Albanyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18799.shtmlMontel Williams Pushes Pot -- for Medical Reliefhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18797.shtmlTV Talker Says Pot is Healing http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18784.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 05, 2004 at 12:49:20 PT Just a Note: I Updated My Medical Marijuana Page I just update my MMJ page and added Montel to it. Here it is if anyone is interested in checking it out.http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 05, 2004 at 11:59:34 PT Dankhank Thank you for all you are doing. That is a very kind gesture. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Dankhank on May 05, 2004 at 11:30:52 PT Montel has opened the door to National Discussion of that most secret of topics ... Cannabis and what it can do to help the ill.I had a flash and took a copy of the Cannabis Research Library to the local Library and offered it to them, citing Montel's activity in NY. It was like pulling teeth to get someone to actually hold it in their hands, but they took it. Guess what? The computers they have for patrons have NO CD-ROMs in any of them.So I am going to call back and offer to install CD-ROMs in their machines for 50dollar a pop complete.Let you know what they say ... Resist [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by tokenitallup4162 on May 05, 2004 at 11:05:50 PT: more key people!?!? well, I think if more people with jobs in the government, of any kind, SPOKE OUT on marijuana, medicinal or not, would be a great benefit to us all. its a shame, they see, only when they're blind!?!? keep up the good words and work [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by RasAric on May 05, 2004 at 09:47:27 PT Ol Bruno doesn't want to shoot himself in the foot It's so nice to see that our legislators have NO regard for the citizens yet when it becomes a personal matter they're willing to go to any and all lengths to help themselves. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by RasAric on May 05, 2004 at 09:39:26 PT Off topic FAUX News is talking about a bill that would ban teen agers from suntanning withoput a doctor prescription. Get ready for the teen-tan police [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 05, 2004 at 09:28:34 PT Oh Yes EJ You got that right! My mind is young but my body yells help me! help me! help me! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on May 05, 2004 at 09:25:35 PT The boomers are feeling their age Bruno had a bout with cancer and he's starting to get real about life finally. This is where we're going. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment