News & Columns > G.T. Houts > Medical Marijuana Cards On The Way (Update 2)

Medical Marijuana Cards On The Way (Update 2)

Final Reading of Ordinance July 14

By G.T. Houts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Update 2 - Tuesday 1:33 p.m.

San Bernardino, CA - San Bernardino County medical marijuana cards may be available by Monday, August 17. Supervisors are expected to approve the authorizing ordinance July 14.

At today's supervisor's meeting, the board read the ordinance for the first time outlining the process for screening applicants and issuing cards to patients.

If adopted on July 14, the ordinance would become effective 30 days after that date. The first non-weekend date after the ordinance is activated would be Monday, August 17.

In addition to approving the first reading of the ordinance, supervisors established a 45-day moratorium on the establishment of marijuana dispensaries in the county. During that period, a task force will draft rules for zoning and licensing dispensaries.

Update - Tuesday 3:45 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - Annual fees for the issuance of medical marijuana cards have been proposed by the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. The first reading of the ordinance will be today, June 23.

The San Bernardino County Public Health Department proposes a $ 166 fee for medical marijuana caregivers and non Medi-Cal patients and $ 83 per card for Medi-Cal patients, per year. The ordinance will be introduced Tuesday, June 23 and voted on July 14. (Photo by Chmee2/Wikimedia Commons.)

The recommended fees for caregivers and non Medi-Cal patients is $166 per card and $83 for Medi-Cal patients, per year.

County supervisors will read the title only of the fee ordinance tomorrow, June 22, and then vote on the proposed fees on Tuesday, July 14.

The proposed ordinance also authorizes the implementation of the medical marijuana identification card program and distribution of identification cards to qualified patients and their caregivers.

If approved, the program will initially operate six hours a day, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The County Department of Public Health expects to serve approximately 250-300 patients and caregivers each year.

DISPENSARY MORATORIUM

Supervisors will also read the title only or an urgency interim ordinance for a temporary moratorium on the issuance of permits for the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries.

The Land Use Services Department reports the county currently has no development code provisions or design standards that are reasonably appropriate and applicable to the review and analysis for the citing of medical marijuana dispensaries.

The proposed urgency interim ordinance will establish a temporary moratorium on the establishment of the dispensaries until the County Planning Department can formulate appropriate recommendations for adoption by the board of supervisors.

The moratorium will reportedly allow staff, in coordination with the the Sheriff, County Counsel, and other appropriate agencies, to conduct a study researching various approaches to regulating the subject land use.

The urgency ordinance will face a vote on July 14.

Original Story

San Bernardino, CA - Medical marijuana cards will finally be issued by San Bernardino County following a decision by the Board of Supervisors after holding a closed-door session with county lawyers.

"The county will begin providing identification cards to medical marijuana patients within the next 45 days," county spokesperson David Wert told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net.

San Bernardino County is set to finally issue medical marijuana cards, similar to this one from Marin County, following a closed door meeting by the Board of Supervisors with county attorneys. (Photo by Nirmal Thacker/Wikimedia Commons.)

Wert explained that the county's public health department will begin training, from state officials, next week.

San Bernardino County and San Diego County had filed suit to prevent the issuance of medical marijuana ID cards under Proposition 215, which California voters approved in 1996 and were authorized by legislation in 2004.

An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court by the two counties was a last, long-shot chance that the high court would take up the case. The appeal was denied.

The suit, filed by both counties, sought to overturn state laws that require counties to issue medical marijuana identification cards.