Pubdate: Tue, 16 May 2006 Source: Fresno Bee, The (CA) Copyright: 2006 The Fresno Bee Contact: http://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/lets_ed/send/ Website: http://www.fresnobee.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/161 Author: Sarah Jimenez, The Fresno Bee Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) TULARE CO. EYES MEDICAL POT PLAN Supervisors to Consider Fees and Identification Card Program Tuesday. Tulare County supervisors on Tuesday will consider setting a fee and starting a medical marijuana identification card program that protects patients and caregivers from arrest. A public hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. during the board's regular meeting. Tulare County health services officials are proposing a $100 fee for the card. Ray Bullick, director of health services for Tulare County, said the fee is based on staff time and equipment required to operate the program. Health services staff also checked with other counties that already operate a program. County health services staff are proposing to begin the program July 1, Bullick said. If approved, Tulare County would become the second Central Valley county to have such a program. Kern County is the other. The program is a result of Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, approved in November 1996 by California voters. The law allows patients or their caregivers to possess or cultivate marijuana for medical purposes if they have a doctor's written recommendation. Under federal law, marijuana use remains illegal, even as medication. In October 2003, Senate Bill 420 was signed into law and set rules for qualifying patients and caregivers. It also required the establishment of a statewide ID program for those who qualify. Counties compile information from patients, including a photo, and submit it to the California Department of Health Services. The department distributes the ID cards and maintains an Internet database that police can access to confirm status as a legitimate medical marijuana user. The program is voluntary. The program operates in 19 counties, said Norma Arceo, spokeswoman for the state Department of Health Services. By Friday, the state had produced 3,085 identification cards. F. Aaron Smith, California coordinator with Safe Access Now, a community-based group that promotes reasonable guidelines for the implementation of Prop. 215, said he was happy to see Tulare County quickly moving forward with the program since it last was discussed by supervisors during a March meeting. At that time, supervisors approved an interim ordinance prohibiting dispensaries from opening in unincorporated areas -- a separate matter from the ID program. "This is a critical step in ensuring safe and legal access for medical marijuana patients who are qualified in the county," Smith said. Smith said he hopes Tulare County's action motivates other counties in the Valley to move forward with implementing the program. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake