Pubdate: Wed, 18 May 2005
Source: Ukiah Daily Journal, The (CA)
Copyright: 2005 The Ukiah Daily Journal
Contact:  http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/581
Author: Michael Riemenschneider
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

PILOTING THE NOT-SO-CLEAR SKIES OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The Trial Implementation Of Statewide Prop. 215 ID's

This world is rife with coincidence.

In gradual response to the 2003 passage of Senate bill (SB) 420, 
legislation creating a statewide medicinal marijuana identification system 
and database, seven California counties are expected to launch trials of 
the program. Mendocino County, as one of the few counties to already have 
established a medicinal marijuana identification system, is one of those seven.

The County Board of Supervisors heard the matter Tuesday, but postponed 
action until next week.

Proposition 215, by making medicinal marijuana legal in California but not 
clearly stating law enforcement specifics, has created an administrative 
nightmare. Interpretations vary widely across the state, and the 
quasi-legal status of the drug results in significant ambiguity. SB 420 was 
passed to make the law more uniform.

The trial program here will grant Mendocino County patients and caregivers 
an official card bearing the state's logo for a $50 fee. This 
identification card must be renewed yearly. Medi-Cal participants can 
deduct half of the card's cost. Law enforcement across the state will 
purportedly recognize and respect this card.

The County Public Health Department will administer the identification 
system, with state supervision coming from the California Department of 
Health Services (CDHS). If the matter is passed by the board next week, the 
identification system will begin the following day, May 25.

The other pilot counties are: Amador, Marin, Shasta, Trinity, Del Norte and 
Sonoma. Assuming these test programs work out any kinks, CDHS will make the 
SB 420 program effective statewide in August.

After making these details clear to the board, Director of Public Health 
Carol Mordhorst opened the floor for questions from the supervisors and the 
public.

Supervisor David Colfax began by asking questions about the cost of the 
program.

"When I look at the amount of work this takes on, I'm just wondering if 
there's ever been truly a cost analysis, particularly at this time when we 
are under such constraints for staff and budgeting."

Supervisors Kendall Smith, Jim Wattenburger and Hal Wagonet asked similar 
questions regarding the potential cost and whether the state would be 
reimbursing the county. If there is a cost beyond the fee revenue, it will 
be assumed by the county, Mordhorst said.

Also of relevance, Colfax, Wagonet and Smith addressed the issue of medical 
privacy. "The question is to staff. Can the state access (personal medical 
information) without the express release from the patient?" asked Wagonet.

Hearing a no' response, those worries were assuaged. Being a public 
discussion concerning marijuana, however, speakers gradually digressed to 
non-specific topics. Issues ranged from the nature of artificial fertilizer 
to the implementation of a different medicinal marijuana identification system.

Eventually, the board returned to the matter at hand. Wattenburger had 
already moved, and Colfax seconded, to postpone action on the matter until 
next week. The board voted 3-2 to approve the motion. Smith and Wagonet 
made up the minority, seeing nothing to gain in the next week.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman