LAKE COUNTY — The state”s recent fee hike slash for the cost of participation in a program to issue medical marijuana identification cards (MMICs) will mean a cut in the cost of a card to Lake County”s cannabis patients after the Board of Supervisors” Tuesday decision.
An ordinance voted in last week that applied a substantial state fee hike was due for formal adoption after a second reading Tuesday, but was instead amended to reflect the state”s last-minute change of heart.
The California Department of Health Services (DHS) changed its original $13 fee to participating counties to $142 to cover the cost of administration after less than half of the state”s counties chose to participate in the MMIC program. DHS had anticipated spreading the cost for a state-maintained database over an estimated 150,000 cannabis patients and to date has issued closer to 10,000.
The change was slated to take effect March 1, and would have meant a $200 annual fee for anyone wishing to obtain an I.D. card; MediCal beneficiaries would have paid $100.
In a Feb. 28 press release, DHS announced it would reduce its charge to counties from the $142 to $66 in order to save the program.
The MMIC programs in place in 24 of California”s 58 counties bring them into compliance with Senate Bill 420, signed into law in 2005. Identification cards are intended to protect cannabis patients with a valid doctor”s note from wrongful state-level prosecution and provide clarity for law enforcement.
The county Department of Health secretary Jessie Weiser said the change will mean a reduction by half in the cost of a card for Lake County residents. The cost of a state I.D. card will be $100 for non-MediCal beneficiaries and $50 for beneficiaries.
At last count, eight Lake County residents had contacted the county about obtaining a card. Weiser said her call volume has increased due to recent media coverage. Anyone wishing to inquire confidentially about obtaining a card may call Weiser at 263-1090.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
