cannabisnews.com: S.F. Approves ID Cards for Medical Pot 





S.F. Approves ID Cards for Medical Pot 
Posted by FoM on January 25, 2000 at 17:15:52 PT
By Rachel Gordon of The Examiner Staff
Source: San Francisco Examiner
San Francisco is poised to issue identification cards for legitimate users of medicinal marijuana. The Board of Supervisors approved the program Monday on a 10-1 vote, with Board of Supervisors President Tom Ammiano the lone dissenter. Under the plan, patients who have a doctor's OK to use pot, and their caregivers, would be eligible for a city-issued ID card. The Department of Public Health, or a contract agency, will administer the program. 
Supervisor Mark Leno, the plan's chief legislative sponsor, said it was needed "so that there would be no further possibility of harassment by law enforcement for use of medicinal cannabis." Ammiano said that while he respected the intent of the law, he was concerned that the records concerning a person's health status could end up in the wrong hands. But Leno said measures would be put in place to protect confidentiality. The cards will have the person's photo, but not his or her name or address. Instead, each card will be imprinted with a unique serial number that will correspond to the person's driver's license, official California ID or passport number. Ammiano said he wasn't convinced that confidentiality could be assured, and feared that the information could be used against patients, leading to job or housing discrimination or harassment. Marijuana is used to treat people with AIDS, cancer, glaucoma and other illnesses. The identification card program will be purely voluntary. A handful of other local jurisdictions already have similar programs in place, among them Oakland, Arcata and Mendocino County. Wayne Justmann , director of the San Francisco Patients Resource Center, one of an estimated eight pot distribution "clubs" in The City, said the official identification cards should help eliminate any confusion. "It will help identify the legitimate users," he said. Published: January 25, 2000©2000 San Francisco Examiner Page A3 Related Articles: S.F. Supes Vote for Medical Marijuana I.D. Cards-1/24/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4464.shtmlS.F. Board to Vote Today on Plan For Pot-User IDs-1/24/2000http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread4453.shtml
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