Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jan 2009 Source: Lodi News-Sentinel (CA) Copyright: 2009 Lodi News-Sentinel Contact: http://www.lodinews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1419 Author: Ross Farrow, Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Cannabis - California) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) MEDICAL POT CARDS TO BE AVAILABLE San Joaquin County residents seeking medical marijuana may obtain an identification card beginning Monday. The patient or primary caregiver must submit written documentation from a physician stating that the patient has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition and that the medical use of marijuana is appropriate, according to Shene Bowie, program coordinator for the county's Public Health Services Department. The physician must be licensed to practice medicine in California. The county also requires: Proof that the applicant lives in San Joaquin County. Proof of identity such as a California driver's license or state identification card. Written documentation of the patient's medical records. A digital photo of the patient and primary caregiver that will appear on the medical marijuana identification card. An annual fee of $141 will be charged for the card. Patients on Medi-Cal will be charged $70. The county medical marijuana program will be administered by the Vital Records Office, located in the Public Health Services building at 1601 E. Hazelton Ave., Stockton. Applications may be obtained at the Vital Records Office during normal business hours, or they may also be downloaded from the California Department of Public Health Web site at www.dhs.ca.gov/mmp. Applications will be accepted by appointment only. Appointments may be made by calling 468-8600. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin