MEDICAL POT ID PROGRAM RESUMES

Suspension Ordered After High Court Ruling

California's medical marijuana identification card program was
reinstated Monday, according to state Health Director Sandra Shewry.

Shewry on July 8 had ordered the program -- created by a 2003 state
law -- suspended until Attorney General Bill Lockyer could give an
opinion on whether it put state workers at risk of federal prosecution.

Lockyer repeatedly has said last month's U.S. Supreme Court ruling,
which upheld enforcement of the federal marijuana ban even in states
with medical marijuana laws, should not impact enforcement of California's law.

Shewry issued a statement Monday saying Lockyer reviewed the concern
and said that California can issue ID cards to medical marijuana
users without state employees facing prosecution for assisting in the
commission of a federal crime.

Her statement also said Lockyer noted that federal agencies could
seize information received from applicants for the voluntary medical
marijuana ID cards.

The state will modify the application form to inform people that
possession of the drug remains a federal crime, and the information
they provide could be used against them.

The cards provide patients with proof they've received a doctor's
recommendation to possess and use marijuana under state law.

The Drug Policy Alliance and the American Civil Liberties Union last
week had threatened to sue the state if the program wasn't reinstated by today.