January 20, 2011 – 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. By Ann Marimow. Source.

November 30, 2010 – SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Former talk show host Montel Williams is lobbying state lawmakers to approve legislation legalizing marijuana for medical use.

The television personality is scheduled to meet with members of the Illinois House in the hours leading up to a planned vote Tuesday on the issue, said state Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat who is sponsoring the legislation.

Williams has multiple sclerosis and uses medical marijuana to help ease the effects of his condition.

Under the proposed law, certain patients could obtain medical-grade marijuana from state-regulated dealers for use in their homes.

Lang said he’s not sure the measure will be approved. He said he has between 58 and 65 votes. Sixty are needed for passage.

“We’re very close. I’ve got a lot of fence-sitters,” Lang said.

If approved, Illinois would be among 16 states in the nation allowing marijuana use for medical purposes.

Williams is among a lengthy line of celebrities who have visited the Statehouse in recent years to press various causes. Others include movie starlet Bo Derek, former Chicago Bull Bill Cartwright, musician Rick Nielsen and actress Morgan Fairchild.

The legislation is Senate Bill 1381. Source.