Montel Williams endorses legal marijuana in Ohio

COLUMBUS - Television personality Montel Williams says patients who need medical marijuana are in the middle of a political battlefield and the only answer is legalizing the drug.

"There is zero reasons why it’s not legal," said Williams, who uses medical marijuana to treat his multiple sclerosis. "For those who need access to medication, how dare we stand in the middle?"

Williams, who ran The Montel Williams Show from 1991 to 2008, endorsed Issue 3 in Ohio, a proposal on the November ballot to legalize marijuana use for those older than 21. It would also create 10 marijuana growing facilities. Proponents say legalizing marijuana would allow patients in pain to obtain a treatment less addictive than prescription pain pills. Opponents say the proposal from PAC ResponsibleOhio would reward wealthy investors with sole access to the crop.

Montel said he wasn't receiving any financial benefit from ResponsibleOhio. Sinclair Broadcast Group paid for his trip to Columbus Tuesday to speak at a Town Hall on local channel, WSYX.

A recent online poll from Kent State University showed 56 percent of voters approved of the marijuana legalization proposal. Another 10 percent were undecided. The poll of 500 registered Ohio voters had a margin of error was plus or minus 4 percent.

Williams said he gained some perspective on trusting doctors' orders when his daughter, Maressa, was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

"I watched them give her drugs that literally almost killed her," Williams said. But he trusted the physician and says that's what others should do if a doctor suggests marijuana as treatment.

Williams focused on the medical benefits of marijuana, but also said he approved of legalizing marijuana for adults' consumption.

It's not the first time Williams has dipped his toe into Ohio politics. He attended Gov. John Kasich's presidential bid announcement in July. Montel says he's still a fan of Kasich, even if they don't agree on marijuana legalization. (The governor opposes Issue 3.)

Montel hasn't decided who will get his vote in 2016.