HARTFORD, Conn., March 24 (UPI) -- Talk show host Montel Williams told Connecticut lawmakers he uses marijuana every day to stave off the pain associated with his multiple sclerosis.
The Hartford Courant reported Saturday that Williams, 50, was the keynote speaker at a news conference organized by supporters of a bill that would allow residents with "serious medical conditions" to cultivate and use marijuana to ease pain if recommended by their doctor.
The Courant said the Emmy-award-winning television host told an audience at the Legislative Office Building: "I have been on everything. I've been on morphine to the point where it almost shut down my kidneys. I've been oxycodone. I've taken six to 12 of those in a day and found myself doing nothing but drooling in a corner and crying because I still hurt."
The Courant said the House Bill 6715, known as the Compassionate Use Act, passed the judiciary committee this week in a 32-8 vote and said it is expected to be reviewed by several other committees on its way to the state House for a vote. Connecticut proponents are optimistic about the bill's passage sometime this year.
