Montel Williams lends support to Maryland's medical marijuana effort

By Ann Marimow

Former talk show host and local celebrity, Montel Williams, will lend his support to efforts to legalize medical marijuana in Maryland. Williams, who grew up in Baltimore, has become a national advocate for medical marijuana since he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis more than a decade ago.

Williams, who has sought treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital, will join the bill's sponsors - Sen. David R. Brinkley (R-Frederick) and Del. Dan K. Morhaim (D-Baltimore County) - at a press conference Monday in Annapolis. Williams has spoken out in other states about his use of medical marijuana to relieve chronic pain caused by his illness.

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have laws on the books that allow marijuana use for medical purposes. Last year, the Maryland Senate passed legislation with bipartisan support, but the measure stalled in the House in part because of concerns about the political implications in an election year.