Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jan 2006
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2006 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.mercurynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Author: Lisa Fernandez
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

SUPERVISORS AGREE TO ISSUE MEDICINAL MARIJUANA ID CARDS

Santa Clara County residents who have a doctor's note will soon be 
able to apply for a state-mandated medicinal marijuana identification 
card, which is supposed to ease any hassle if they are pulled over by police.

The board of supervisors unanimously agreed Tuesday to issue the 
cards in the county. The public-health department should issue the ID 
cards by March 1, spokeswoman Teresa Chagoya said.

The cards are the result of SB 420, a law requiring counties to issue 
them. The law amends previously unclear portions of Proposition 215, 
which voters approved in 1996, allowing people with valid medical 
ailments to use marijuana.

The federal government considers marijuana illegal.

San Mateo County began offering cards in January. Other Bay Area 
counties are expected to offer the program soon.

The Santa Clara County card will cost a client $60 a year, $30 for 
those on Medi-Cal. County officials estimate 2,600 patients will 
apply this year.

To apply for a card, residents must provide doctor's proof that they 
have a serious medical condition and that marijuana use is appropriate.

There is no medicinal marijuana dispensary in Santa Clara County.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake