Pubdate: Sat, 13 Dec 2008
Source: Ventura County Star (CA)
Copyright: 2008 The E.W. Scripps Co.
Contact:  http://www.venturacountystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/479
Author: Zeke Barlow
Cited: Americans for Safe Access http://www.americansforsafeaccess.org
Referenced: Ventura County Medical Marijuana Identification Program 
http://drugsense.org/url/D8I4me81
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Senate+Bill+420
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Proposition+215
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Americans+for+Safe+Access

MARIJUANA ID CARDS COMING ON MONDAY

They're Designed So Police Will Know Patients Have Medical Need

Starting Monday, medical marijuana patients in the county can apply 
for an identification card that shows proof they can legally use the drug.

The program, which was enacted under Senate Bill 420, is designed to 
alleviate confusion between police and those who are legally allowed 
to transport and consume the drug.

Though 41 other counties in California have enacted similar 
state-mandated programs, Ventura County officials wanted to see how a 
series of lawsuits played out before starting a program here.

San Diego and a few other counties had sued the state, claiming the 
medical marijuana laws put in place by voters under Proposition 215 
in 1996 ran contrary to federal laws outlawing marijuana. The state 
Supreme Court would not hear the case, and San Diego said it will 
appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ventura County Public Health Director Barry Fisher said the county 
wanted to wait until the suit seemed mostly settled before a program 
was started here.

The department put a notice on its Web site last week about the 
program starting and notified some of the groups that have been 
inquiring about the identity cards.

But Michael Meyer, the Ventura County organizer for Americans for 
Safe Access, said he thinks the county is keeping the program low key 
so as not to attract attention to it.

"I think they are trying to minimize exposure, and I understand it 
because even the patients are very paranoid in Ventura," said Meyer, 
who uses marijuana because he suffers from migraines as well as other 
ailments. "This is a big deal because it signals that the county is 
finally recognizing the law, and it will help us open up lines of 
communication with law enforcement."

He said Ventura County hasn't been very receptive to medical 
marijuana thus far.

Cities around the county, including Moorpark and Oxnard, have adopted 
temporary moratoriums on allowing dispensaries to open. Simi Valley 
enacted a permanent one.

Meyer said he's making an effort to see if Ventura may be more 
receptive to the idea of opening one.

How many people will take advantage of the new ID program in the 
county is debatable. In Los Angeles County, where there are a lot 
more residents and dispensaries, participation in the program has 
been relatively low, Fisher said.

But Meyer estimates there are 10,000 to 15,000 medical marijuana 
patients in Ventura County, and many of them will seek out the ID 
cards to avoid confusion when dealing with police.

The card costs $191 or $95.50 for Medi-Cal patients. A number of 
forms are needed to obtain the card, including original documentation 
for a prescription from a doctor as well as proof of residency in 
Ventura County.

To set up an appointment to get a card, call 981-5301. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake