SAN FRANCISCO BOARD OKS USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

CALIFORNIA - The San Francisco Board of Supervisors put its stamp of
approval yesterday on a plan to issue identification cards to medical
marijuana users.

The city ordinance is designed to allow qualified cardholders to
obtain high-grade marijuana from several dispensaries without fear of
being arrested. It still must be considered by Mayor Willie Brown.

"What the card does is to certify that the holder fits the
requirements of the California medical marijuana statute," said deputy
city attorney Marc Slavin. He said the card will not contain a name or
photo for confidentiality purposes but will display a serial number.
No fees have been set.

If approved by the mayor, it would be the third such program in the
state. All are byproducts of a proposition approved by voters in 1996
that allows for possession, cultivation and use of marijuana for
medicinal purposes.