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County medical pot limits now like state

Rebecca Wolf Red Bluff Daily News

Red Bluff, CA Sept 29, 2005-- Tehama County residents using marijuana for medicinal purposes are now limited to 8 ounces of dried marijuana and six mature plants or 12 immature plants.

The Tehama County Board of Supervisors approved the limits this week. The amount is the same as the state's level that was set after the passage of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

The county had originally set its limits higher than the state's. Details on the previous limits were not immediately available. Corning and Red Bluff cities are also expected to consider adopting the state's limit in the near future.

Tehama County Undersheriff Dennis Garton said the department was pleased with the adopted limits. "It gives us defined guidelines that we can use across the board," Garton said.

The county is also preparing to issue medical marijuana identification cards for users, in accordance with a 2003 state law to help law enforcement identify patients legally protected by the law.

The cards would be issued on a voluntary basis for patients and caregivers, according to health services director Valerie Lucero.

Patients and caregivers would need to complete a four-page application that would include a physician's recommendation for the marijuana.

The Tehama County Health Services Agency is working to develop the card program for the county and plans to set the fee at $72.75 per card.

According to Lucero, the cards will cost the county $59.75 to produce. The state has added a $13 fee to the cards. Patients on Medi-Cal will receive the cards for half price.

The supervisors will hold a public hearing on the fees for the cards on Oct. 18 at 10:45 a.m. at the board chamber at 633 Washington St.