Pubdate: Wed, 11 May 2005
Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY)
20050511/NEWS01/505110327&SearchID=3D73207946225541
Copyright: 2005 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/614
Author: Jay Gallagher, Albany Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

LAWMAKERS, PATAKI DIVIDED OVER MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

ALBANY -- Gov. George Pataki and lawmakers Tuesday appeared headed for a 
showdown on whether New York should allow seriously ill people to use 
marijuana as a pain reliever.

The Legislature's top Republican said he was confident that a bill to allow 
its use under a doctor's supervision would pass this session. But a 
spokesman for Pataki's Health Department said patients can get similar 
relief from other medications.

"The Legislature needs to act to enact a medical marijuana law that allows 
the drug to be used in tightly controlled instances with a doctor's 
supervision," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, 
Rensselaer County. "I'm confident we can achieve this goal this session."

The Assembly will likely go along if the Senate approves the measure, said 
Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan.

The supporters of the measure brought TV talk show host Montel Williams to 
the Capitol Tuesday to lobby for the measure. Williams, who was diagnosed 
with multiple sclerosis in 1999, said marijuana is the only drug that 
relieves the chronic pain in his legs and feet.

"Other painkillers haven't worked," he said. "If it weren't for medical 
marijuana, I would not be standing here today." He said he ingested some in 
a cake in California Monday night before flying to New York.

The supporters also included representatives from the state Medical 
Society, the state Nurses' Association and the deans of the state's 15 
medical schools.

"The use of marijuana for medical purposes is scientifically established," 
Jo Weiderhorn, executive director of the Associated Medical Schools of New 
York State, said in a statement. "The deans of New York's medical schools 
recognize this and support efforts in the Legislature to make marijuana 
available to patients under the supervision of a doctor."

The state Health Department, however, disagrees, according to a spokesman.

"Our experts ... indicate there are legal medications available that 
provide the same medical benefit as marijuana," said the spokesman, William 
VanSlyke.

But a bill supporter said that the weight of medical opinion is mostly on 
the other side.

"I would suggest that the Health Department listen more closely to those 
many people in our state who are suffering, many of whom have communicated 
to myself and other lawmakers that this is the only place they can get 
relief from their pain," said Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-Patterson, Putnam 
County, sponsor of the bill.

Leibell and other lawmakers wouldn't speculate Tuesday on whether they 
could rally the two-thirds vote necessary to override a potential Pataki 
veto, assuming such a bill is adopted by the Legislature.

When asked to explain the opposition to the measure, Leibell said that 
marijuana is a "political hobgoblin" that some politicians can't see 
beyond. But he said they have to take a broader view because legalizing its 
use could dramatically reduce the suffering of many people.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman