Albany

The debate over legalizing medical marijuana has wafted through the Legislature for years.

Now supporters are hoping to ignite more interest and votes thanks to a letter that 610 physicians have endorsed, saying they want to be permitted to prescribe marijuana in instances where it could help their patients.

"This changes the situation, if over 600 physicians from every corner of the state (are) saying they want the option of recommending medical marijuana," said Julie Netherland of the Drug Policy Alliance.

They are involved in a broad effort to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Members of the Democratic-controlled Assembly have approved such a measure several times in recent years, but the bill has been snuffed out before getting to a vote in the Senate.

Next week, Netherland said, the letter, under the heading "New York Physicians for Compassionate Care," will be delivered to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and members of the Legislature.

"Denying patients access to a safe, effective medication that can relieve their suffering is cruel and forcing them to break the law is simply wrong," concludes the letter that urges support for bills put forth by Democratic Assemblyman Richard Gottfried of Manhattan and Sen. Diane Savino of Staten Island.

More than 100 other health professionals who are not doctors have signed on to the letter as well.

Supporters note that 18 states including Washington, D.C., now allow medical marijuana. It can help alleviate pain and nausea associated with chemotherapy.

Randomized tests, which scientists consider a reliable standard, also show it can help treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS and epilepsy.

It's also relatively free of side effects, unlike some of the powerful prescription drugs on the market.

"Many people can't tolerate other medications," said Dr. Mark Pettus, chief of medicine at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany who joined others in a Thursday teleconference on the topic.

"It's kind of crazy when my patients have to break the law to get medicine that is less toxic," said Dr. Julie Holland, a Dutchess County psychiatrist.

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Not everyone is convinced.

The politically powerful Medical Society of the State of New York, which includes members of the pro-legalization group, has said the federal government, through the Food and Drug Administration, rather than the state Legislature, should decide such matters.

The group stated in a letter last month to Gottfried that its leadership "opposes any process that entrusts the state Legislature with the function of approving medications."

Cuomo has previously said that passing a medical marijuana bill wasn't a priority this year, and he's had concerns about regulating the substance.

Savino said she believes he could be swayed by moves such as the letter.

"It's our job to convince him," said, a member of the Senate's Independent Democratic Conference. "We're going to keep at it.''

rkarlin@timesunion.com • 518-454-5758 • @RickKarlinTU