Pubdate: Fri, 13 May 2005 Source: Times Union (Albany, NY) storyID=360102&category=OPINION&newsdate=5/13/2005 Copyright: 2005 Capital Newspapers Division of The Hearst Corporation Contact: http://www.timesunion.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/452 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) SEN. BRUNO IS RIGHT The Senate Majority Leader Lends Support To Medicinal Marijuana Legislation As the state capital, Albany regularly attracts scores of special interest groups seeking to influence legislators on a wide range of issues. But now and then, the lawmakers can become special interests of their own, and for the best of reasons. Often it is because a life-altering experience gives the lawmaker a new perspective on an issue that, beforehand, had been an abstraction. Such is the case with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, who has added his voice to those seeking a medicinal marijuana bill in New York state. We have long supported such legislation, and we applaud Mr. Bruno's comments Wednesday as the draft of a bipartisan bill to legalize marijuana for seriously ill patients was announced by Sen. Vincent Leibell, R-Brewster, and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan. If only Gov. George Pataki would listen. Regrettably, he already has signaled his opposition. Opponents of state medical marijuana laws claim they are a dangerous first step toward legalizing the drug for the general population. They continue to characterize marijuana as a gateway drug that leads to the eventual abuse of heroin, cocaine and other harder drugs. And they continue to insist there are prescription medications that are just as effective as marijuana in easing pain. But supporters of legalization have long demolished these claims. For one thing, physicians have long prescribed morphine, cocaine and other pain killers without opening the door to rampant abuse among the public. Why can't the same tight regulations be applied to marijuana use? Nor is it possible for everyone who suffers from chronic pain to find relief in a prescription. Just ask the television talk show host Montel Williams, who has used marijuana for years to cope with multiple sclerosis and who was in Albany on Wednesday to urge passage of a New York medicinal marijuana law. Mr. Bruno has new insight on this issue because he has weathered a bout with prostate cancer. As he remarked Wednesday, he knows how difficult it is to live "day-to-day with a painful, life-threatening illness." So do countless others who have searched in vain for prescription pain relief, only to find the one drug that can help them, marijuana, is beyond their reach. While the Legislature has debated medical marijuana legislation in the past, this is the first time there is legislation in both the Senate and Assembly. That's a hopeful sign that passage could come soon. As for Mr. Pataki, he should listen to Mr. Bruno, who knows -- firsthand -- whereof he speaks. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth