County Prepares to Issue ID Cards

By Jacqui Nguyen FOX 5 San Diego Staff

June 11, 2009

Medical marijuana advocates are calling the identification cards the first
step by county officials to embrace medical marijuana.

Next month, officials with the county health and human services will begin
issuing identification cards to patients.

Sean Grady is co-owner, advocate and is a user of marijuana for medical
purposes. In his early 20's, Grady was involved in multiple motorcycle
crashes. Doctors prescribed pharmaceutical medications for his injuries.
Years of taking the medications affected his liver, according to Grady. A
year ago, his doctor gave him the approval to use marijuana for medicinal
purposes.

"The initiation of the current program is key to protecting patients," Grady
said.

Grady is co-owner and operator of the Pacific Beach Collective on Turquoise
Street. The doors to the collective opened in mid-May. Grady welcomes
members through a stringent proces.

"We only accept the written verification. I need to see the ink signature
from the doctor," Grady said.

Currently, Grady carries two cards with him everywhere he goes. One card is
issued through his collective, a second card is from his doctor. Soon, he'll
have a third card issued by the county.

The county department of health and human services will start accepting
applications next month. Here are the requirements: you'll have to download
an application from the county's website, show proof that you're a San Diego
county resident, and documents from your medical provider. Be prepared to
shell out $166 per applicant. The county gets to keep $100 and $66 go to the
state of California.

Dr. Dean Sidelinger is the deputy public health officer for the county.
According to him, the county is gearing up and making sure extra staff is
ready on the first day when the applications are accepted.

"Once the client has the card, they're responsible for following state and
federal laws," Dr. Sidelinger said.

Grady calls the ID cards program a protection and the beginning of a victory
for medical marijuana users. He hopes through education, he can dispel the
negative image.

"Everything that's happened in the past few weeks is very inspirational. I'm
ready to eliminate the 'us against them' situation," Grady said.

The county will update its website by June 26th to have information about
the application process. Don't expect to get the cards right away. It will
take up to 35 days after you apply before you get your ID card.

In the past 10 months, Orange county issued 20 cards a month. In San
Francisco county, 250 cards are issued each month. The question remains how
many cards will be issued here for San Diego county.