Photo Illustration by Michael Uribes / The Collegian
Fresno recognizes use of medical marijuana
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 on Tuesday, Sept. 9, to participate in California̢۪s Medical Marijuana Program (MMP).
Tulare, Merced and Kern counties joined the MMP̢۪s registry and started issuing identification cards this year. Other counties began issuing the identification cards in 2005. The MMP was established in 2003.
Cards to aid officials
As stated on MMP’s Web site, “using marijuana, even for medical reasons, is against federal law.â€Â
In 2006, California became a part of the Compassionate Use Act. The Compassionate Use Act gives patients permission to grow and use marijuana if prescribed by a doctor. The MMP requires that patients and their primary caregivers register with the statewide identification card system.
By allowing patients to have an identification card, law enforcement officers will be able to quickly see if that person is operating within the law.
“Law enforcements will be able to type in the name and number of the patient to see if they have a card,â€Â said Jena Adams, supervising communal disease specialist and supervisor of the Medical Marijuana Program for Fresno.
Application process underway
She said proof of a doctor̢۪s recommendation must be provided during the application process. Applicants must also prove that they are residents of Fresno County.
As stated in the Department of Justice’s Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use, “A qualified patient is a person whose physician has recommended the use of marijuana to treat a serious illness, which marijuana provides relief.â€Â
Fresno County̢۪s health department is in charge of taking applications for the cards, which have to be renewed every year.
Attorney General Jerry Brown said that he felt the identification cards “represent one of the best ways to ensure the security and non-diversion of marijuana grown for medical use.â€Â
Cost of card undetermined
Dec. 1 is the start date for issuing the identification cards in Fresno. The county has not determined what the cost of the card will be yet but hopes to know by mid-November. The cost of a card varies by county.
Patients with Medicare have to show proof that they are covered to be able to have the identification card.
“Whatever the cost is, Medicare people will only have to pay half of the cost,â€Â Adams said.
“A win-win situation”
According to the MMP Web site, the number of applicants from Fresno Country is unknown.
In 2007, 6,782 cards were issued in California.
Aaron Smith, California organizer for Marijuana Policy Project feels that the best way to make the problem of marijuana shrink is to regulate it.
“It’s a win-win situation for law enforcement and patients,â€Â Smith said.
JerryMeek0512 • Jun 15, 2016 at 5:24 pm
Helpful piece . I learned a lot from the points . Does anyone know if my assistant can get a sample CA CAPA version to type on ?
olga orca • Jun 16, 2016 at 8:21 pm
Hi JerryMeek0512, my colleague found a blank CA CAPA copy at this site https://goo.gl/KaSeVl.
jorrelcobu • Sep 4, 2009 at 3:04 pm
ecosystems broader mean issue
jorrelcobu • Sep 4, 2009 at 10:04 pm
ecosystems broader mean issue
Scout • Sep 26, 2008 at 11:14 am
There should be an “s” after “Uribe” in my above comment. My apologies.
Scout • Sep 26, 2008 at 6:14 pm
There should be an “s” after “Uribe” in my above comment. My apologies.
Scout • Sep 26, 2008 at 11:13 am
Michael Uribe was probably never happier to recieve a graphic assignment then he was for this story.
Scout • Sep 26, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Michael Uribe was probably never happier to recieve a graphic assignment then he was for this story.
Gary Perris • Sep 26, 2008 at 11:02 am
Ive never put my name on any list that can be inspected by the feds.
I do keep a copy of my Recommendation in each of my two cars.
GP
93140
Gary Perris • Sep 26, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Ive never put my name on any list that can be inspected by the feds.
I do keep a copy of my Recommendation in each of my two cars.
GP
93140
Eric the Epileptic • Sep 26, 2008 at 8:23 am
“In 2006, California became a part of the Compassionate Use Act. The Compassionate Use Act gives patients permission to grow and use marijuana if prescribed by a doctor. The MMP requires that patients and their primary caregivers register with the statewide identification card system.”
Some of your facts are very WRONG:
-The MMP has NO SAY in how laws are applied. They are NOT a legislative OR law enforcement body. We can protest, sign petitions, and VOTE. While I support this movement, YOU as a patient must check the laws for yourself! (like I did!). Dont take a newspaper writers opinion as fact!
-The California Compassionate Use Act was passed in 1996, with 55.6% of the vote. (NOT 2005)
-The initiative S.B.420 was passed on Sept 10&11 2003. (passed by the Assembly & Senate respectively)
-Registering for a COUNTY CARD IS VOLUNTARY: (FROM S.B. 420)-“This bill would require the State Department of Health Services to establish and maintain a voluntary program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients and would establish procedures under which a qualified patient with an identification card may use marijuana for medical purposes.”
There is NOTHING, in the text of either bill/ initiative, that says card registration is mandatory.
Check for yourself: http://www.potdoc.com/bill_sb_420.htm (S.B. 420)
http://www.hr95.org/Prop215.html (Prop 215)
Thanks for your time, I hope people will read these bills/ initiatives and learn something.
Eric the Epileptic • Sep 26, 2008 at 3:23 pm
“In 2006, California became a part of the Compassionate Use Act. The Compassionate Use Act gives patients permission to grow and use marijuana if prescribed by a doctor. The MMP requires that patients and their primary caregivers register with the statewide identification card system.”
Some of your facts are very WRONG:
-The MMP has NO SAY in how laws are applied. They are NOT a legislative OR law enforcement body. We can protest, sign petitions, and VOTE. While I support this movement, YOU as a patient must check the laws for yourself! (like I did!). Dont take a newspaper writers opinion as fact!
-The California Compassionate Use Act was passed in 1996, with 55.6% of the vote. (NOT 2005)
-The initiative S.B.420 was passed on Sept 10&11 2003. (passed by the Assembly & Senate respectively)
-Registering for a COUNTY CARD IS VOLUNTARY: (FROM S.B. 420)-“This bill would require the State Department of Health Services to establish and maintain a voluntary program for the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients and would establish procedures under which a qualified patient with an identification card may use marijuana for medical purposes.”
There is NOTHING, in the text of either bill/ initiative, that says card registration is mandatory.
Check for yourself: http://www.potdoc.com/bill_sb_420.htm (S.B. 420)
http://www.hr95.org/Prop215.html (Prop 215)
Thanks for your time, I hope people will read these bills/ initiatives and learn something.
Anthony Recendez • Sep 26, 2008 at 7:44 am
A “Binger” is a Bong (Remember Tobacco use only)
A “Rollie” is a Marijuana Cigarette
For those of us out there not hip to he West Coast Chatter.
Anthony Recendez • Sep 26, 2008 at 2:44 pm
A “Binger” is a Bong (Remember Tobacco use only)
A “Rollie” is a Marijuana Cigarette
For those of us out there not hip to he West Coast Chatter.
Anthony Recendez • Sep 26, 2008 at 7:42 am
Lets see we need 700 billion to bail out Millionaires, we need Ca to balance and passed abudget, where will the money come from? Oh yeah from Americas #1 cash crop, The Herb!
It is only a matter of time before the feda-ralies catch up to CA and get some or that Taxed Marijuana Revenue. So all those out there with a rollie in the ear, or a binger on your dresser, or even a sneak a toke,Light up, and lets save America!!!!
Anthony Recendez • Sep 26, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Lets see we need 700 billion to bail out Millionaires, we need Ca to balance and passed abudget, where will the money come from? Oh yeah from Americas #1 cash crop, The Herb!
It is only a matter of time before the feda-ralies catch up to CA and get some or that Taxed Marijuana Revenue. So all those out there with a rollie in the ear, or a binger on your dresser, or even a sneak a toke,Light up, and lets save America!!!!