Pinch
Well-Known Member
So I started research and this is the response I got from my county health system. I'm not sure from his response that the good Doctor knows what's going on. Email response sent today. Interesting reading though...
Dear Dr. Brunner,
Thank you for your timely response to my query. I
thought MMP, the ID Program was spelled out in H&S
Code, Section 11362.7-11362.83. I also believe the
California AG rendered an opinion (July 25, 2005).
Please see the following:
https://167.10.5.146:81/ISYSquery/IRLE069.tmp/1/doc.
I am aware of the legal ramifications. My only
concern is with the CHP. The only document CHP will
accept from Prop 215 patients is the State-issued
Medical Marijuana Identification Card (and they know
there are only 124 in existance).
The pilot program in 4 counties was successful and 124
people were issued ID cards. The Feds don't worry me.
It's the CHP. I have a letter recommending MMJ use
for my MS and I carry a miniturized copy in my wallet
along with my Oakland CBC card. Ah, but one issued by
the State.. nothing can beat that.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please
keep me posted. I would like to be the first of many
patients to receive a Contra Costa County issued MMP
ID Card.
Sincerely,
Pinch
--- wbrunner@hsd.co.contra-costa.ca.us wrote:
> Dear Mr. Pinch,
> The medical marijuana identification cards will be
> issued through Contra Costa County, Public Health
> Division, when the State develops guidelines for
> those
> cards. So far, the state has implemented a very
> small pilot program in a few rural counties.
> Development of the state guidelines was also halted
> for a
> period of time by the Supreme Court decision;
> however, the state attorney general has ruled that
> the state should proceed with the program, and
> Contra Costa
> will follow the state direction on this issue.
>
> I do not know when the program will start in Contra
> Costa. That will depend upon when the state issues
> guidelines and instructions to the counties.
> Although
> you quote the law as saying these cards indicate
> authorization to posses, grow, transport and/or use
> medical marijuana , I want to warn you that the law
> is
> unclear on the actual situation with these cards.
> Contra Costa Health Services is a health care
> agency, and we will issue cards as directed by the
> state
> health department and state attorney general.
> However, I don't know what the legal status of the
> possession of marijuana is even for holders of these
> cards.
> We would advise you to consult your attorney on that
> issue.
>
> As a practical matter, I understand that the law
> enforcement officials in Contra Costa have placed a
> very low priority on the enforcement of laws against
> possession of marijuana for persons like you, who
> appear to have a bonified reason to use medical
> marijuana. I suspect that a letter from your doctor
> indicating your diagnosis would keep you out of
> significant difficulty with our law enforcement
> agencies, for the cultivation or possesion of modest
> amounts
> of the drug.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Wendel Brunner PhD, MD
> Director of Public Health
> Contra Costa Health Services
> 597 Center Avenue, Suite 200
> Martinez, Ca 94553
> 925-313-6712 Fax 6721
>
> Visit our website at https://ccpublichealth.org
>
Dear Dr. Brunner,
Thank you for your timely response to my query. I
thought MMP, the ID Program was spelled out in H&S
Code, Section 11362.7-11362.83. I also believe the
California AG rendered an opinion (July 25, 2005).
Please see the following:
https://167.10.5.146:81/ISYSquery/IRLE069.tmp/1/doc.
I am aware of the legal ramifications. My only
concern is with the CHP. The only document CHP will
accept from Prop 215 patients is the State-issued
Medical Marijuana Identification Card (and they know
there are only 124 in existance).
The pilot program in 4 counties was successful and 124
people were issued ID cards. The Feds don't worry me.
It's the CHP. I have a letter recommending MMJ use
for my MS and I carry a miniturized copy in my wallet
along with my Oakland CBC card. Ah, but one issued by
the State.. nothing can beat that.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please
keep me posted. I would like to be the first of many
patients to receive a Contra Costa County issued MMP
ID Card.
Sincerely,
Pinch
--- wbrunner@hsd.co.contra-costa.ca.us wrote:
> Dear Mr. Pinch,
> The medical marijuana identification cards will be
> issued through Contra Costa County, Public Health
> Division, when the State develops guidelines for
> those
> cards. So far, the state has implemented a very
> small pilot program in a few rural counties.
> Development of the state guidelines was also halted
> for a
> period of time by the Supreme Court decision;
> however, the state attorney general has ruled that
> the state should proceed with the program, and
> Contra Costa
> will follow the state direction on this issue.
>
> I do not know when the program will start in Contra
> Costa. That will depend upon when the state issues
> guidelines and instructions to the counties.
> Although
> you quote the law as saying these cards indicate
> authorization to posses, grow, transport and/or use
> medical marijuana , I want to warn you that the law
> is
> unclear on the actual situation with these cards.
> Contra Costa Health Services is a health care
> agency, and we will issue cards as directed by the
> state
> health department and state attorney general.
> However, I don't know what the legal status of the
> possession of marijuana is even for holders of these
> cards.
> We would advise you to consult your attorney on that
> issue.
>
> As a practical matter, I understand that the law
> enforcement officials in Contra Costa have placed a
> very low priority on the enforcement of laws against
> possession of marijuana for persons like you, who
> appear to have a bonified reason to use medical
> marijuana. I suspect that a letter from your doctor
> indicating your diagnosis would keep you out of
> significant difficulty with our law enforcement
> agencies, for the cultivation or possesion of modest
> amounts
> of the drug.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Wendel Brunner PhD, MD
> Director of Public Health
> Contra Costa Health Services
> 597 Center Avenue, Suite 200
> Martinez, Ca 94553
> 925-313-6712 Fax 6721
>
> Visit our website at https://ccpublichealth.org
>