SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUPERVISORS OK MEDICAL MARIJUANA PLAN

Final Score: Medical Marijuana 5, San Bernardino County Supervisors 0.

But despite their victory Tuesday, the medical marijuana proponents
are still angry because it will be almost two months or perhaps
longer before the county begins issuing identification cards to
people with doctors' prescriptions.

"Our concern is seeing that the medicine gets out to our patients,"
said Ron Downey, a proponent who spoke at Tuesday's board meeting. A
half-dozen others also spoke.

That's how the years-long duel ended, with the supervisors voting
unanimously to implement a medical marijuana identification card program.

The proposed ordinance authorizing the program will go before the
board again on July 14 for adoption, and the program should be in
full swing 30 days after that, on Aug. 14.

If all goes according to plan, that's when patients can start
submitting applications for identification cards, said Lynne Fischer,
county spokeswoman.

The board also imposed a temporary ban on dispensaries until the
county's development code can be updated to include provisions and
design standards for them.

"That doesn't prohibit them (patients) from the other options they
have under the law," Fischer said.

For further information, contact the San Bernardino County Public
Health Department at (800) 782-4264. Applications will be distributed
by appointment only.