Montel Williams in group seeking marijuana license

[August 17, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- TV personality Montel Williams is part of a group seeking licenses to grow and dispense medical marijuana in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Post (http://wapo.st/pE9L85) cited city records showing that the nonprofit Abatin Wellness Center has expressed preliminary interest in opening medical marijuana businesses in the city.

Washington attorney Frederick D. Cooke Jr. was hired to shepherd the application through the process. Cooke confirmed Tuesday that Williams has a major role in the group.

Jonathan Franks, a Los Angeles-based publicist for Williams and Abatin, told the newspaper, "This is not a spokesman-for-hire deal." Williams was also involved when Abatin opened a clinic earlier this year in Sacramento, Calif.

Williams has been an outspoken medical marijuana advocate since he began using the drug to relieve pain caused by multiple sclerosis.

[Associated Press]

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