Pubdate: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 Source: Union, The (Grass Valley, CA) Copyright: 2009 The Union Contact: http://apps.theunion.com/utils/forms/lettertoeditor/ Website: http://www.theunion.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/957 Author: Laura Brown, Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) MEDICINAL POT USERS: ARE STATE ID CARDS NEXT? Nevada County supervisors are considering adopting a state program that allows people who use marijuana for medicine to volunteer their personal information to a state data bank in exchange for an identification card. Those in favor of the program say it could benefit local law enforcement by making it easier to document who has a doctor's recommendation. It could also set some patients' minds at ease to carry a validated card in their wallet when transporting the medicine by vehicle. I think, for people, it feels more official," said Jeff Brown, director of Nevada County's Health and Human Services Agency. Others, including a Grass Valley doctor, say such an ID card is discriminatory and chips away at a patient's privacy rights. That's something we've really worked hard to protect," said Dr. Sean Devlin, a physician from Highland Springs Wellness Center in Grass Valley. A host of professionals, from teachers to judges, who regularly seek a recommendation for medical marijuana at the office would be exposed, he added. I think it's just another step toward control," Devlin said. In 2003, SB 420 was enacted requiring the California Department of Public Health to operate a State Medical Marijuana Program. Medical use of marijuana became legal in 1996, when California voters passed Proposition 215. The ID program allows qualified patients to apply for and receive identification cards through their public health department. Information about the patient is sent to and stored at a state data bank. Even though the program is voluntary, Devlin fears it is the first step to establishing mandatory cards for all medicinal cannabis users. My concern is the cascade effect," Devlin said. He questions establishing a system for one group of patients while others who use opiate-based drugs go without any type of scrutiny. Of all (doctor recommended) medicines, the only one being focused on is medicinal cannabis because it's a hot button issue," Devlin said. So far, the cards have been unpopular statewide, Brown said. In Orange County, with a population of 3 million people, only 100 cards were issued last year, Brown said. Sierra County has issued zero cards even though the program has been in place for a year now, Brown said. Only two people have shown interest in cards in Nevada County, he added. We anticipate a demand of less than 20 cards each year," Brown said in his staff report to the Board of Supervisors. Slowed by pending legal challenges, Nevada County postponed adopting the program until a settlement was reached late last fall. To date, 48 of 58 California counties have implemented the program. If approved by supervisors at their meeting this week, the program could begin as soon as next month. The fee for a card would be $130. For lower-income patients eligible for Med-Cal, the cost would be $64. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Board of Supervisors chambers at the Eric Rood Administrative Center, 950 Maidu Ave. in Nevada City. For more information, contact the county public health department at 265-1450. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake