Pubdate: Tue, 10 May 2005 Source: New York Daily News (NY) Copyright: 2005 Daily News, L.P. Contact: http://www.nydailynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/295 Author: Joe Mahoney Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) N.Y. POLS 'OPEN' TO MEDICINAL POT LAW ALBANY - The state Senate and Assembly could be nearing a joint agreement to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to seriously ill or dying patients. Senate Republican Leader Joe Bruno (R-Rensselaer) was described by his spokesman yesterday as being "open and receptive" to backing medicinal pot. Aides to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) called him "sympathetic" to the notion that marijuana could help ease the pain for seriously ill or dying people. But Gov. Pataki is not onboard. A Pataki spokesman said the governor believes there are already legal alternatives available for pain relief. The debate is expected to heat up over the next few weeks as lawmakers scramble to wrap up the legislative session by late June. A co-sponsor of the legislation, Assemblyman Scott Stringer (D-Manhattan), noted the state's largest doctors lobby supports the measure. Television talk show host Montel Williams, who admits using pot to help him cope with multiple sclerosis, is slated to be at the Capitol today to tout the legislation. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake