SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERVISORS TO DISCUSS MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE

San Bernardino County supervisors will meet in closed session this
morning to again discuss whether to start issuing identification
cards to medical marijuana patients.

The supervisors have yet to say whether they will comply with state
law. Their legal challenge ended unsuccessfully last month when the
U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case. The supervisors were
briefed on the May 18 decision last week but made no announcement afterward.

A majority of the supervisors say they believe the county will be
issuing identification cards soon but must first tie up loose ends
from the legal case.

"My position as a 3rd District supervisor is let's not drag this
out," said Supervisor Neil Derry. "Let's follow the law and move forward."

Sheriff's Department officials have said they are implementing
training and policies for deputies and researching how other police
agencies deal with marijuana dispensaries.

Medical marijuana advocates say they're watching the county closely
to ensure it is not stalling.

Burt Southard, spokesman for board Chairman Gary Ovitt, said he was
not sure whether an announcement will be made today but said the
county does plan to abide by the court ruling.

"The devil's in the details of how to put this whole thing together
properly," Southard said.

Most other counties, including Riverside, already issue cards.