EXHIBIT 9(b)

BROWN & WOOD LLP

ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER

TELEPHONE: 212-839-5300

Merrill Lynch Maryland Municipal Bond Fund of

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We consent to the filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registration Statement of Merrill Lynch Maryland Municipal Bond Fund of Merrill Lynch Multi-State Municipal Series Trust on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-49873 and 811-4375) of our opinion dated August 31, 1993, originally filed on September 3, 1993 as an Exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to such Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the prospectus and statement of additional information constituting parts thereof.

	Very truly yours,
	/s/ BROWN & WOOD LLP