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.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake