EXHIBIT 99.B:
Form of Opinion and Consent of Counsel

[MASSMUTUAL LETTERHEAD APPEARS HERE]

April 23, 2001

C.M. Life Insurance Company
140 Garden Street
Hartford, CT 06154

RE:      Registration Statement No. 333-88493
            filed on Form S-6

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This opinion is furnished in connection with the filing of Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 for C.M. Life Insurance Company’s (“C.M. Life”) Survivorship Flexible Premium Adjustable Variable Life Insurance Policies (the “Policies”). C.M. Life Variable Life Separate Account I issues the Policies.

As 2nd Vice President & Associate General Counsel for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, the parent company of C.M. Life, I provide legal advice to C.M. Life in connection with the operation of its variable products. In such role I am familiar with the filing for the Policies. In so acting, I have made such examination of the law and examined such records and documents as in my judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable me to render the opinion expressed below. I am of the following opinion:

1	.	C.M. Life is a valid and subsisting corporation, organized and operated under the laws of the state
		of Connecticut and is subject to regulation by the Connecticut Commissioner of Insurance.
2	.	C.M. Life Variable Life Separate Account I is a separate account validly established and
		maintained by C.M. Life in accordance with Connecticut law.
3	.	All of the prescribed corporate procedures for the issuance of the Policies have been followed, and
		all applicable state laws have been complied with.

I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to this Post-Effective Amendment.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Richard M. Howe

Richard M. Howe, Esq.

Second Vice President & Associate General Counsel

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company