cannabisnews.com: San Diego Council Approves Pot ID Cards 





San Diego Council Approves Pot ID Cards 
Posted by FoM on February 13, 2002 at 07:50:00 PT
By The Associated Press
Source: Associated Press
The City Council approved a plan that will allow sick people who use marijuana to obtain identification cards to protect them from possible arrest. Council members approved the measure 7-2 on Tuesday. Cardholders can carry up to one ounce of marijuana under the plan, which was conceived by a citizens Medical Cannabis Task Force. The program also will include a 24-hour hotline that police can call to verify the cardholders' identification. 
"This is a very modest response to an immediate and real need," Councilwoman Toni Akins said. Marijuana is illegal in California but voters approved Proposition 215 in 1996 that allows the medical use of the drug after users receive their doctor's permission. The city-issued cards will not protect users from arrest by federal authorities and cannot be used in other cities. Some people who smoke marijuana for medical use have complained they have been arrested by police and accused of abusing their privilege. Medical marijuana patient Susan McNichols said she was detained and taken away in handcuffs from her car last summer. She was eventually released. "This was a very painful and humiliating experience," she said. It will take city leaders about six months before the program can begin. They must first raise between $20,000 and $30,000 to pay for the program and find an agency to manage it. Source: Associated PressPublished: Wednesday, February 13, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htm Panel Pitches City ID Cards for Medical Pot Users http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11306.shtmlID Card for Marijuana Patients Urged http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10974.shtmlSan Diego Officials Urge IDs for Medical Pot Users http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10574.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #1 posted by Ron Bennett on February 13, 2002 at 10:21:01 PT
ID Cards Too Easily Abused By Government...
ID cards for medical cannabis users may sound good on the surface, but I see a real potential for abuse by governments who issues such cards; especially if cards were issued nationwide - look at what happened to driver licenses that were originally intended to show if one was trained to drive...now driver licenses are being used for many other purposes too, and that ultimately is what will likely happen with cannabis user ID cards.In my view, activists who tout/support cannabis user ID cards should consider the abuse aspect of such databases.Also, consider public perception...the public at-large could be led to believe that cannabis must be really dangerous, bad, etc if the government requires an ID card to use it.I personally am against cannabis user ID cards. If one wants to obtain medical cannabis, they should be able to do so without ID cards nor other hassles.And ultimately I for one would like to see cannabis legalized which would negate any such need for ID cards.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment