The Toking of Montel

I haven't read Montel's book Climbing Higher but in a recent Chicago Tribune article "Fighting for your life shouldn't be a crime" Montel states "someone suggested that I try smoking a little marijuana before going to bed saying it might help me fall asleep." He goes on to say he was skeptical but tried it. Voila!

Montel, after his arrest in 2003 for possession at the Detroit airport: "... statement released by Williams' office indicated that he used marijuana on the advice of his physician to treat the chronic, constant pain caused by MS." At the time possession of any amount of marijuana carried up to a year prison time in Michigan. Williams was fined $100.

Granted, it's unfortunate for anyone to suffer from disease, but I don't buy Montel's line. The National MS Society's own medical trials are inconclusive. THC effects on spasticity were inconclusive and "side effects, especially at higher doses, included weakness, dry mouth, dizziness, relaxation, mental clouding, short-term memory impairment, space-time distortions, and lack of coordination." and that "smoked marijuana was shown to worsen control of posture and balance in 10 people with MS and 10 who did not have MS. All 20 study participants reported feeling "high." Wow, all 20.

Monty didn't go public with his cry for medicinal weed until after getting caught with a bong full. Montel long spoke out against drugs, but now pleading a case for one. Now an activist/lobbyist for "medicinal" marijuana. A gifted motivational speaker who lectures on how to overcome obstacles on the road to success. Maui wowie or Acapulco Gold, no sticks or seeds.....?