S.F. MEDICAL POT USERS NOT AFFECTED BY STATE PLAN

A plan by the state to stop issuing identification cards for medical
marijuana users should not affect patients using the drug in San
Francisco, a city supervisor said.

After reviewing the recent Supreme Court decision that reaffirmed the
federal government could prosecute people for using medical
marijuana, California Department of Health Services officials became
concerned that they could be aiding and abetting a federal crime by
issuing cards and therefore be open to prosecution.

"In light of a recent Supreme Court decision, I am concerned about
unintended potential consequences of issuing medical marijuana ID
cards that could affect medical marijuana users, their families and
staff of the California Department of Health Services," state Health
Director Sandra Shewry said Friday.

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi said San Francisco patients would not see
much difference since the state program was experimental and The City
issues its own ID cards.