Tulare County BOS Meeting tomorrow

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors will be meeting tomorrow morning to
consider the county's administration of the voluntary medical marijuana ID card
program. Please attend to show your support for this program and hassle-free
access to medical marijuana.
When: Tuesday, May 16th – 9:00am
(this is the first item on the agenda, please show up early)

Where:
County Administration Building
2800 West Burrel Avenue
Visalia, CA 93291
Map: http://tinyurl.com/rsdac

News: http://www.fresnobee.com/local/sv/story/12185608p-12929552c.html

Thank You,

Aaron Smith
Safe Access Now
fa_smith [at] yahoo.com

Tulare Co. eyes medical pot plan Supervisors to consider fees and
identification card program Tuesday. By Sarah Jimenez / The Fresno Bee
(Updated Monday, May 15, 2006, 6:13 AM)



Tulare County supervisors on Tuesday will consider setting a fee and
starting a medical marijuana identification card program that protects
patients and caregivers from arrest.
A public hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. during the board's regular meeting.
Tulare County health services officials are proposing a $100 fee for the card.
Ray Bullick, director of health services for Tulare County, said the fee is based on
staff time and equipment required to operate the program. Health services staff also
checked with other counties that already operate a program.
County health services staff are proposing to begin the program July 1, Bullick said.
If approved, Tulare County would become the second Central Valley county to have
such a program. Kern County is the other.
The program is a result of Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, approved in
November 1996 by California voters. The law allows patients or their caregivers to
possess or cultivate marijuana for medical purposes if they have a doctor's written
recommendation.
Under federal law, marijuana use remains illegal, even as medication.
In October 2003, Senate Bill 420 was signed into law and set rules for qualifying
patients and caregivers. It also required the establishment of a statewide ID
program for those who qualify.
Counties compile information from patients, including a photo, and submit it to the
California Department of Health Services. The department distributes the ID cards
and maintains an Internet database that police can access to confirm status as a
legitimate medical marijuana user. The program is voluntary.
The program operates in 19 counties, said Norma Arceo, spokeswoman for the state
Department of Health Services. By Friday, the state had produced 3,085
identification cards.
F. Aaron Smith, California coordinator with Safe Access Now, a community-based group
that promotes reasonable guidelines for the implementation of Prop. 215, said he was
happy to see Tulare County quickly moving forward with the program since it last was
discussed by supervisors during a March meeting.
At that time, supervisors approved an interim ordinance prohibiting dispensaries
from opening in unincorporated areas — a separate matter from the ID program.
"This is a critical step in ensuring safe and legal access for medical marijuana
patients who are qualified in the county," Smith said.
Smith said he hopes Tulare County's action motivates other counties in the
Valley to move forward with implementing the program.
The reporter can be reached at sjimenez [at] fresnobee.com or(559) 622-2413.