ALBANY ?? Gov. David A. Paterson raised some concerns Wednesday about legislation to legalize marijuana for certain medicinal uses, though advocates say they believe he will support the measure if it passes this session.

??There are some problems with the legislation,? Paterson said when asked about the new bill. ??You just don??t want a substance that??s illegal to be immediately available to anyone that wants to receive it.?

He said he would wait to see which bill is passed by the Legislature.

Advocates have said they have been given signals by the Paterson administration that he supports the effort, which would permit physicians to authorize marijuana for patients suffering certain serious medical conditions. The patient could grow the plant, buy the drug on the illegal market or purchase it at a state-sanctioned dispensing center.

Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan, the bill??s sponsor, said the measure includes strict standards to ensure the drug is dispensed for medical reasons. He added that its provisions are tougher than those for a host of controlled substances, such as morphine, that are already dispensed in the state. The bill, for instance, requires patients approved for the drug??s use to register with the state and to have the authorization approved every year.

Gottfried said he is ??confident when the governor has a chance to look at the specifics of the bill, I suspect he will support it.?

The bill will again easily pass the Assembly. Sponsors believe the measure stands its best chance in a decade of passing the Senate.