Pubdate: Tue, 2 Dec 2008
Source: Siskiyou Daily News (Yreka, CA)
Copyright: 2008 GateHouse Media, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.siskiyoudaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/668
Author: Dale Andreasen, Daily News
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/SB+420
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Proposition+215
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

COUNTY SETS MEDICAL MARIJUANA I.D. CARD FEE

Yreka, Calif. - After months of studying the issue, hearing 
recommendations from Public Health, proposing an ordinance, revising 
the ordinance and finally holding a public hearing, county 
supervisors approved an ordinance at its Nov. 18 meeting, setting the 
fees for medical marijuana I.D. cards mandated by the state and 
issued by the county.

The fee for a medical marijuana I.D. card was set at $156, which 
includes the current state fee of $66. Medi-Cal recipients would pay 
one half of the cost - $78.

Public Health and Community Development Director Terry Barber said 
that the fee was established by taking an average of what 18 counties 
currently charge. Some, like Shasta County, are lower, charging just 
$106, while others are more substantial - Tulare County charges $268.

California State Senate Bill 420 mandated medical marijuana I.D. 
cards. It was passed in 2003 to assist in the administration of the 
Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215), which legalized the 
medical use of marijuana.

According to the Legislative Counsel's Digest, SB 420 required the 
state Department of Health Services "to establish and maintain a 
voluntary program for the issuance of identification cards to 
qualified patients and would establish procedures under which a 
qualified patient with an identification card may use marijuana for 
medical purposes."

The bill imposed various duties upon county health departments 
relating to the issuance of these I.D. cards, thus creating a 
state-mandated program.

The I.D. cards are good for one year, after which they must be 
renewed. Emancipated minors may apply for a card if all the necessary 
qualifications are met. Children under the age of 18 must have 
parental consent to apply for a card.

Two people from the audience spoke against approval of the ordinance.

Paul Von Hartman of Mount Shasta, who identified himself as both a 
cannabis scholar and a member of the cannabis ministry, said, 
"Imposing an additional fee for a medical marijuana I.D. card is 
redundant; it's not right and I'm opposing it."

He referred to the marijuana plant as, "a gift that has been given to 
our species by the force that created our planet" and said marijuana 
could "improve the quality of life in Siskiyou County."

Gulf War veteran Jennifer Mesenbrink of Horse Creek said she formerly 
worked with the Oregon Youth Program. She has a permit to grow 28 
plants, but was only growing 12 when she was arrested for cultivation 
of a controlled substance. She said that the medical marijuana I.D. 
card program was supposed to be voluntary and she can't understand 
why she is being forced to pay a fee.

Other Personal Health Division fees were raised by the ordinance. 
These include fees for vaccinations, travel immunizations and for 
tuberculosis skin testing.

Supervisor Jim Cook made the motion to approve the ordinance. 
Supervisor Bill Overman seconded it. The vote for approval was 4-0. 
Supervisor LaVada Erickson was absent. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake