SUPERVISORS TO CONSIDER PROGRAM FOR MARIJUANA ID CARDS

After passage of Proposition 215 to allow medicinal use of marijuana
for treatment of ailments, the county has not yet adopted a system to
give identification cards to those with doctor's recommendations for
use of the drug.

Representatives from Safe Access Now have asked Butte County to
approve a program to approve identification cards on the county level
to people with doctors' permits that will be submitted to the state.
The program is voluntary and Aaron Smith, a spokesperson for Safe
Access Now in Santa Rosa, said it can save hassle to people with
prescriptions if issues arise with law enforcement.

Smith said a previous request was made to the Board of Supervisors
but was tabled, meaning people with doctors' recommendations for
marijuana have been at risk of having unnecessary complications with
use of their medicine.

Identification cards can help law enforcement distinguish between
patients who have a doctor's permission from people who might have
counterfeit documents, the advocacy group said.

Smith said it can also save costs for law enforcement who can more
easily determine criminal activity from medical use.

The item is on the agenda of the Board of Supervisors meeting today.
The meeting starts at 9 a.m. at the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 25
County Center Drive in Oroville.

It is a timed item for 10:25 a.m.

Other agenda items include an appeal of a Planning Commission
decision for an expansion of the existing Smucker Quality Beverage
facility for more cold storage, a new truck access drive and parking area.