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.