COUNTY SHOULD BEGIN ISSUING MEDICAL MARIJUANA ID CARDS

Imagine if you were living with a serious illness with very few
options for treatment, but there was a drug available that helped you
to live as close to a healthy, productive life as you could
reasonably expect. The only problem is that the medicine your doctor
recommends can easily be mistaken for a form of the drug that is
illegal. At any time, you could be stopped by a law enforcement
officer and have to provide documentation that you have the drug legally.

While your kids wait for you at home, the officer tries to reach your
doctor, who has already left the office for the day. The officer
decides to confiscate your medicine and set a court date to work out
the confusion. You have to miss work to go to courtoand even when the
judge acknowledges you did nothing wrong, thereis no guarantee that
the same thing wonit happen again next week.

An estimated 900 to 1,100 patients in Butte County who are currently
using marijuana under state law to treat such afflictions as multiple
sclerosis, AIDS, severe arthritis and cancer, risk facing this
scenario every day.

A decade ago, when voters passed the landmark initiative that made
possession, cultivation and use of marijuana for medical purposes
legal under California law, the directive was clear: ensure patientsi
safe and legal access to their medicine. Making that a reality,
however, has been a challenge.

To address the concerns of both the patient and law-enforcement
communities, the state established guidelines known as the Medical
Marijuana Program Act in 2003.

Perhaps the most important part of our stateis Medical Marijuana
Program is the establishment of a statewide voluntary ID card program
for qualified patients and their caregivers. Many patients choose to
become cardholders because it greatly reduces their risk of arrest or
detainment by state and local law enforcement.

In November of 2005, the Butte County Department of Public Health
drafted a proposal to begin issuing the cards with a $56 fee per
applicant. Unfortunately, the issue was tabled by the Board of
Supervisors, essentially killing the program.

The county is required by state law to make the cards available.

Once the countyis medical marijuana ID card program is in place,
officers will be able to verify a patientis legal status in minutes
by utilizing the statewide database. This program will not only
further protect patients, it will also free up the valuable time of
law enforcement officers serving the community. It is for this reason
that both the County Sheriff and District Attorney support the program.

Our medical marijuana laws have gained broad support across the
political spectrum. An independent Field Poll conducted in 2004 found
that 74 percent of voters support the implementation of Californiais
medical marijuana lawso64 percent of Republicans and 84 percent of Democrats.

The Board of Supervisors should immediately approve the health
departmentis original plan and resume the medical marijuana ID card program.

The health and safety of local patients depends on it.