CITY TO CONSIDER PASS-CARD FOR LEGAL POT USERS

Supervisor Leno Suggests Ids To Aid Police, Cut Hassles.

Medical marijuana users could pull out a card and prove their legal right
to the drug under a citywide program that Supervisor Mark Leno plans to
introduce Monday for legislation.

Leno said the San Francisco program would expand on similar programs
already in Oakland, Arcata in Humboldt County and Mendocino County.

Supporters hope the cards will reduce the potential for hassles between law
enforcement and those who can legally use the drug under Proposition 215,
the medical marijuana initiative approved by California voters in 1996.

"The goal is to make sure people who have a medical need for cannabis can
demonstrate that to police," said Mitchell Katz, director of the Department
of Public Health.

The cards would be distributed by the Department of Public Health, and Leno
said the program would be voluntary.

"Both primary caregivers and medical marijuana users can qualify for a
card," Leno said. "The cards are completely confidential -- there are no
names or addresses anywhere on the card."

The cards, good for two years, would have a photo and identification number
instead, along with a holographic seal to deter forgeries.

Leno said the legislation will be introduced at City Hall on Monday, go to
a supervisors committee in 30 days and move quickly from there.

"There's a chance we may get this approved by the end of the year," Leno said.

Arcata has had a similar program run by the police department since August
1997. Mendocino County and Oakland also issue medical marijuana ID cards.

Leno said District Attorney Terence Hallinan and Police Department
officials support the initiative and are scheduled to show their support at
a Monday rally, Leno said. "Physicians, providers, patients and their
caregivers came to me expressing a desire to be able to recommend, provide
and use cannabis without fear of prosecution," Leno said.

"The police also asked us to distinguish legitimate users from illicit
ones. This legislation achieves all those goals at the same time."