COUNTY SUPERVISOR SAYS SHE SUPPORTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM

A day after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the state's medical
marijuana law, a San Bernardino County supervisor indicated Tuesday
that she is ready to support the policy.

The Board of Supervisors is not scheduled to discuss its next step
until June 2, but Supervisor Josie Gonzales told about 40 medical
marijuana advocates it would be a top priority.

"I have long been a supporter of medical marijuana," she said.

Gonzales said she had committed to "step forward" after the legal
debate was resolved and that she hopes the county has reached that point now.

Three years ago, San Bernardino and San Diego counties sued the state
over a program approved by the Legislature in 2003 to regulate the
medical marijuana law approved by state voters in 1996.

The counties contended that the state law, which sets standards for
counties to review applications and issue medical marijuana user
cards, conflicts with federal law that classifies marijuana as a
dangerous drug with no medical purpose.

By refusing to hear the case, the Supreme Court upheld lower-court
rulings rejecting those arguments.

Most other counties, including Riverside, already issue cards.

Advocates of medicinal use of marijuana, including several patients,
told the San Bernardino County supervisors that it's time for the
county to start issuing identification cards to patients who have
letters from their doctors confirming their medical need.

"You've now got the guidance," said Lanny Swerdlow, a registered
nurse at the THCF Medical Clinic and Patient Center in Riverside.
"The Supreme Court has made it very clear you don't have a leg to stand on."

He and other supporters said they were encouraged by Gonzales' comments.

Jim Lindley, the county's director of public health, said if the
board agrees to proceed with an identification card program, his
department will issue them.

Wanda Smith, a Phelan resident who has been prescribed cannabis for
ailments including fibromyalgia and pancreatitis, said she's
exasperated by the delays and difficulties she and other patients have faced.

"We have to have our ID cards," she told the board. "We're not criminals."