SANTA BARBARA SUPES APPROVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ID CARD

On a split vote, the Board of Supervisors approved the creation of an
identification card for chronically ill people needing marijuana for
pain relief -- but it is still wrestling with how to pay for the program.

With Supervisors Joe Centeno and Joni Gray dissenting, the board
majority instructed the county Public Health Department to start work
on the program, following in the footsteps of counties such as
Humboldt, Marin and San Francisco.

"The bottom line for me is, people are suffering," said Supervisor
Susan Rose. "This is a serious human need here. This system works
elsewhere. We're not the first people to do this."

It is estimated that about 200 people in Santa Barbara County would
apply for a card as either a patient or caregiver.

Mark Bohnett told the board his 18-year-old son has greatly benefitted
from the use of marijuana to tone down his Tourette's syndrome and
various violent behaviors.

"I am one of many people who have really seen the benefits," he said.
"We need help. We are not criminals. It is safe. It is the most
efficacious drug we've ever tried."

Because County Public Health Director Roger Heroux said his department
does not have the estimated $12,000 to start the program, the board
almost stalled in its negotiations over a general fund allotment for
the concept.

Eventually, Mr. Centeno voted with Ms. Rose and Supervisors Naomi
Schwartz and Gail Marshall to have County Administrator Mike Brown
explore funding options and report back in two weeks.

Ms. Gray said she understands that people are in pain, but for her, it
came down to money.

"I can't support spending $12,000 of the county's money, nor can I tie
up police time or public health time to have to learn the system," she
said. "The state has spoken. The state is in charge. This is not the
time to use the county's dollars for this."

The county is trying to get its program started by July 1; a similar
state program appears unlikely to start before then.

Under Proposition 215, approved by California voters in 1996, patients
with chronic or serious medical conditions may, with physician
approval, grow and use marijuana to alleviate nausea or other conditions.

Senate Bill 420, signed last October, requires the state Health
Department to establish and maintain a voluntary program for
identification cards, but there is no indication when that will happen.

Lompoc Police Chief Bill Brown, chairman of the Santa Barbara County
Law Enforcement Chiefs, said his group wanted the board to wait until
the state program is running.

"It is unnecessary, it is a waste of precious staff time and money,
and would not serve the public's interest," Chief Brown said.

To address some law enforcement concerns, the county's Office of Vital
Records will create a database to track information required for the
cards. Law enforcement officers encountering someone with a medical
marijuana card will be able to check its validity at any time by
calling the sheriff's dispatch center.

Applicants will have to show proof of county residency; provide
written documentation for the attending physician; provide name and
duties of the primary caregiver; be photographed; and pay a fee.

The card will eventually contain a photograph, an identification
number and the person's height, weight and hair color to make it more
difficult to be counterfeited or misused.

Ms. Schwartz said the safeguards established by the county could end
up better than the state's.

"We could be the model," she said. "Not only can we provide access for
patients, but we can provide law enforcement greater safeguards . . .
For those people that desperately need it, I think we need to move
ahead, and we can do it responsibly."