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Marijuana Raid Webinar Consultation
The Otherside Farms Private Collective was a victim of a
Federal Marijuana raid on January 14, 2012 despite having
abided by (above and beyond) all State laws and guidelines.
Since this incident, Otherside Farms has been in contact
with several lawyers on the State and Federal level.
Other activists and organizations have also stepped up
offering support. In the event of a Medical Marijuana
raid, Otherside Farms has experience and knowledge to share
on what to do during and
after a raid, should you ever
become a victim. Webinars are being scheduled.
To sign up, please contact us.

What to do to be prepared for a Raid
Webinars are being scheduled. To sign up, please
contact us.
During a Raid Webinar Consultation
Webinars are being scheduled. To sign up, please
contact us.
After a Raid Webinar Consultation
Webinars are being scheduled. To sign up, please
contact us.
Medical Marijuana Legal Information
According to CA NORML website:
Table of Contents
-
Introduction
-
Becoming A Patient
-
How to become a medical
marijuana patient in the state of California
-
Registration Fee
-
Eligible medical conditions:
"Serious Medical Condition"
-
Written Certification Must be
Provided to Prove Eligibility
-
Finding a Doctor
-
Renewal Applications
-
Age Limits
-
Personal Records
-
Limitations and Protections under
Initiative
-
Possession and Growing
Limitations
-
Consumption of Medical
Marijuana
-
Paraphernalia associated with
medical use
-
Access to Medical Marijuana
-
Growing/Dispensing Collectives
and Cooperatives
-
Caregivers
-
Housing
-
Employment
-
Reciprocity
-
Law Enforcement
-
Confidentiality
-
Insurance
I. Introduction
In 1996, California voters
enacted the
Compassionate Use Act (CUA), which made California the
first state to legalize marijuana for medical use.
Subsequently, in 2004, the California's medical marijuana
law was amended with
SB 420, which added additional protections to the
Compassionate Use Act. As a result of these companion
policies, California has the most comprehensive medical
marijuana law in the country. The CUA and SB 420 have been
codified as Health and Safety Code 11362.5 - 11362.83 and
provides the following protections and limitations.
Under California's medical
marijuana law, patients and primary caregivers are permitted
to legally use, possess, transport, deliver, or cultivate
marijuana for medical purposes. Additionally, SB 420
specifically protects collectives or cooperatives and allows
primary caregivers to receive financial compensation for
their services.
Another unique aspect of
California's medical marijuana law is that it specifies that
a criminal defendant or someone on probation or parole can
ask permission from the courts to be allowed their rights
under CUA.
SB 420 has a provision that
allows counties and cities to retain or enact medical
marijuana guidelines allowing qualified patients or primary
caregivers to exceed the state's personal use amounts.
The identification system
established pursuant to this Act is wholly voluntary, and a
patient is entitled to all of the protections of Section
11362.5 of the Health and Safety Code without possessing a
state-issued identification card.
California's medical
marijuana law further prohibits any physician from being
punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having
recommended marijuana to a patient for medical purposes.
II. Becoming A
Patient
A. How to become a
medical marijuana patient in the state of California
Under California's medical
marijuana law, the state Department of Public Health (the
Department) is required to set up a voluntary medical
cannabis ID system, however this is not yet in place.
Although medical cannabis patients are not required by law
to have such an ID, once an ID card becomes available, it
may be helpful during law enforcement encounters.
Under Cal. H&S 11362.715:
-
A person who seeks an
identification card shall pay the fee, as provided in
Section 11362.755, and provide all of the following to
the county health department or the county's designee on
a form developed and provided by the Department:
-
The name of the
person, and proof of his or her residency within the
county;
-
Written documentation
by the attending physician in the person' s medical
records stating that the person has been diagnosed
with a serious medical condition and that the
medical use of marijuana is helpful or appropriate;
-
The name, office
address, office telephone number, and California
medical license number of the person's attending
physician;
-
The name and the
duties of the primary caregiver, if one exists; and
-
A government-issued
photo identification card of the person and of the
designated primary caregiver, if any. If the
applicant is a person under 18 years of age, a
certified copy of a birth certificate shall be
deemed sufficient proof of identity;
-
If the person applying
for an identification card lacks the capacity to make
medical decisions, the application may be made by the
person's legal representative, including, but not
limited to, any of the following:
-
A conservator with
authority to make medical decisions;
-
An attorney-in-fact
under a durable power of attorney for health care or
surrogate decision maker authorized under another
advanced health care directive; and
-
Any other individual
authorized by statutory or decisional law to make
medical decisions for the person;
-
The legal representative
described above may also designate in the application an
individual, including himself or herself, to serve as a
primary caregiver for the person, provided that the
individual meets the definition of a primary caregiver;
-
The person or legal
representative submitting the written information and
documentation described above shall retain a copy
thereof.
Pursuant to Cal. H & S
11362.72:
-
Within 30 days of receipt
of an application for an identification card, a county
health department or the county's designee shall do all
of the following:
-
For purposes of
processing the application, verify that the
information contained in the application is
accurate. If the person is less than 18 years of
age, the county health department or its designee
shall also contact the parent with legal authority
to make medical decisions, legal guardian, or other
person or entity with legal authority to make
medical decisions, to verify the information;
-
Verify with the
Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic
Medical Board of California that the attending
physician has a license in good standing to practice
medicine or osteopathy in the state;
-
Contact the attending
physician by facsimile, telephone, or mail to
confirm that the medical records submitted by the
patient are a true and correct copy of those
contained in the physician's office records. When
contacted by a county health department or the
county' s designee, the attending physician shall
confirm or deny that the contents of the medical
records are accurate;
-
Take a photograph or
otherwise obtain an electronically transmissible
image of the applicant and of the designated primary
caregiver, if any; and
-
Approve or deny the
application. If an applicant who meets the
requirements of Section 11362.715 can establish that
an identification card is needed on an emergency
basis, the county or its designee shall issue a
temporary identification card that shall be valid
for 30 days from the date of issuance. The county,
or its designee, may extend the temporary
identification card for no more than 30 days at a
time, so long as the applicant continues to meet the
requirements of this paragraph.
-
If the Department or the
county's designee approves the application, it shall,
within 24 hours, or by the end of the next working day
of approving the application, electronically transmit
the following information to the Department:
-
The unique user
identification number of the applicant;
-
The date of
expiration of the identification card; and
-
The name and
telephone number of the county health department or
the county's designee that has approved the
application.
-
The county health
department or the county's designee shall issue an
identification card to the applicant and to his or her
designated primary caregiver, if any, within five
working days of approving the application.
-
In any case involving an
incomplete application, the applicant shall assume
responsibility for rectifying the deficiency. The county
shall have 14 days from the receipt of information from
the applicant pursuant to this subdivision to approve or
deny the application.
Under Cal. H & S
11362.735:
-
An identification card
issued by the county health department shall be serially
numbered and shall contain all of the following:
-
A unique user
identification number of the cardholder;
-
The date of
expiration of the identification card;
-
The name and
telephone number of the county health department or
the county's designee that has approved the
application;
-
A 24-hour, toll-free
telephone number, to be maintained by the
department, that will enable state and local law
enforcement officers to have immediate access to
information necessary to verify the validity of the
card; and
-
Photo identification
of the cardholder.
-
A separate identification
card shall be issued to the person's designated primary
caregiver, if any, and shall include a photo
identification of the caregiver.
According to Cal. H & S
11362.74:
-
The county health
department or the county's designee may deny an
application only for any of the following reasons:
-
The applicant did not
provide the information required by Section
11362.715, and upon notice of the deficiency
pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 11362.72, did
not provide the information within 30 days;
-
The county health
department or the county's designee determines that
the information provided was false; and
-
The applicant does
not meet the criteria set forth in this article.
-
Any person whose
application has been denied for the reason(s) above may
not reapply for six months from the date of denial
unless otherwise authorized by the county health
department or the county's designee or by a court of
competent jurisdiction;
-
Any person whose
application has been denied for the reason(s) above may
appeal that decision to the Department. The county
health department or the county's designee shall make
available a telephone number or address to which the
denied applicant can direct an appeal.
B. Registration Fee
Currently, there is no
registration fee because there is not yet a registration
process with the state of California. However, there are
both public and private entities that issue ID cards. It
usually takes at least 24 hours for them to verify your
doctor's recommendation and produce the card.
Two examples of ID card
programs are in San Francisco and Oakland. Their contact
info and hours of operation follow:
San Francisco Department of
Public Health (only for SF residents)
101 Grove Street, room 105
(415) 554-2890
Hours: Monday - Friday 9 - 4
Oakland Cannabis Buyers
Cooperative
1733 Broadway (between 17th & 19th)
(510) 832-5346
Hours M-F 10 - 4:30, Saturday 10 - 2:30
C. Eligible medical
conditions: "Serious Medical Condition"
"Serious medical condition"
means all of the following medical conditions:
-
Acquired immune
deficiency syndrome (AIDS);
-
Anorexia;
-
Arthritis;
-
Cachexia;
-
Cancer;
-
Chronic pain;
-
Glaucoma;
-
Migraine;
-
Persistent muscle spasms,
including, but not limited to, spasms associated with
multiple sclerosis;
-
Seizures, including, but
not limited to, seizures associated with epilepsy;
-
Severe nausea;
-
Any other chronic or
persistent medical symptom that either:
-
Substantially limits
the ability of the person to conduct one or more
major life activities as defined in the Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336);
and
-
If not alleviated,
may cause serious harm to the patient's safety or
physical or mental health.
D. Written
Certification Must be Provided to Prove Eligibility
Under the California medical
marijuana law, "Written documentation" means accurate
reproductions of those portions of a patient's medical
records that have been created by the attending physician,
that contain the information described above (information
required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section
11362.715). The patient may submit to a county health
department or the county's designee as part of an
application for an identification card. However,
California's statewide voluntary ID card program has not yet
been implemented.
Americans for Safe access
recommends that any patient desiring to receive a
recommendation for the medical use of marijuana be
forthright with their doctor. There is nothing illegal or
immoral with using medical cannabis or discussing medical
cannabis use with a doctor. Doctors can not be punished for
recommending medical cannabis.
If a patient is considering
discussing medical marijuana use with their doctor, that
patient should be prepared to tell his or her doctor
specifically what condition or symptoms he or she treats
with cannabis. This means that the patient should honestly
describe the amount of cannabis they use, how often, and by
what delivery method.
The patient should then
proceed to ask for a written recommendation for the medical
use of marijuana. Although an oral one is acceptable under
California state law, it is difficult to verify, so it is
better to get the recommendation in writing.
E. Finding a Doctor
Under Cal. H & S 11362.7(a),
"Attending physician" means an individual who possesses a
license in good standing to practice medicine or osteopathy
issued by the Medical Board of California and who has taken
responsibility for an aspect of the medical care, treatment,
diagnosis, counseling, or referral of a patient and who has
conducted a medical examination of that patient before
recording in the patient's medical record the physician's
assessment of whether the patient has a serious medical
condition and whether the medical use of marijuana is
appropriate or helpful.
Although the state of
California will not help patients find a doctor who is
willing to recommend marijuana for medical use, there are
several physicians who are considered to be medical cannabis
specialists.
There are a number of
physician clinics in California which are available for
medical cannabis consultations. Patients should already have
a documented medical record of diagnosis and treatment or a
physician referral. You can find a listing of some of these
physicians at
http://www.canorml.org.
However, patients should be
aware that:
-
your medical records
should be brought with you to the appointment;
-
it generally costs more
than $200 to see a medical cannabis specialist; and
-
paying the money does not
guarantee that you will get a recommendation.
F. Renewal
Applications
Once they become available,
an identification card will be valid for a period of one
year. Upon annual renewal of an identification card, the
county health department or its designee will then verify
all new information and may also verify any other
information that has not changed. The county health
department or the county's designee then transmits its
determination of approval or denial.
Patients should be aware of
the expiration on their recommendation or physician
statement in order to renew the document in a timely
fashion.
G. Age Limits
If the person is less than 18
years of age, the county health department or its designee
shall also contact the parent with legal authority to make
medical decisions, legal guardian, or other person or entity
with legal authority to make medical decisions, to verify
the information.
H. Personal Records
Americans for Safe Access
strongly urges all patients to keep copies of all paperwork
they have related to their status as a medical marijuana
patient as proof of legal status. This is meant to protect
patients from possible future encounters with law
enforcement agents.
III. Limitations and
Protections under the
Initiative
A. Possession and
Growing Limitations
California state medical
marijuana law sets the floor rather than the ceiling for
statewide possession and growing limitations. Therefore,
under California law, cities and counties may set guidelines
that exceed the state allowed quantities.
Pursuant to Cal. H & S
11362.77(a), a qualified patient or primary caregiver may
possess no more than:
-
Eight ounces of dried
marijuana per qualified patient; and
-
No more than six mature
or 12 immature marijuana plants per qualified patient.
Because personal use
guidelines may be different for various cities and counties,
ASA recommends that patients and caregivers check with their
local city council and county board to find out if it has
local guidelines. For a listing of known guidelines for
localities across California, see www.safeaccessnow.net.
However, since this list may not be regularly updated, it is
always important to check with your local city council and
county board.
In addition, if a qualified
patient or primary caregiver has a doctor's recommendation
that this quantity does not meet the qualified patient' s
medical needs, the qualified patient or primary caregiver
may possess an amount of marijuana consistent with the
patient's needs.
Only the dried mature
processed flowers of female cannabis plants or the plant
conversion shall be considered when determining allowable
quantities of marijuana under this section.
B. Consumption of
Medical Marijuana
Under Cal. H & S 11362.79,
qualified patients are not permitted to smoke medical
marijuana under any of the following circumstances:
-
In any place where
smoking is prohibited by law;
-
In or within 1,000 feet
of the grounds of a school, recreation center, or youth
center, unless the medical use occurs within a
residence;
-
On a school bus;
-
While in a motor vehicle
that is being operated; and
-
While operating a boat.
California's medical
marijuana law also sets guidelines for medical marijuana
patients in the criminal justice system. Under Cal. H & S
11362.795. (a) (1) "Any criminal defendant who is eligible
to use marijuana pursuant to Section 11362.5 may request
that the court confirm that he or she is allowed to use
medical marijuana while he or she is on probation or
released on bail." Further, if a physician recommends that
the probationer or defendant use medical marijuana during
the period of probation or release on bail, the probationer
or defendant may request a modification of the conditions of
probation or bail to authorize the use of medical marijuana.
Also under California's
medical marijuana law, any person who is to be released on
parole from a jail, state prison, school, road camp, or
other state or local institution of confinement and who is
eligible to use medical marijuana pursuant to Section
11362.5 (CUA) may request that he or she be allowed to use
medical marijuana during the period he or she is released
under supervision. A parolee's written conditions of parole
shall reflect whether or not a request for a modification of
the conditions of his or her parole to use medical marijuana
was made, and whether the request was granted or denied.
During the period of the parole, where a physician
recommends that the parolee use medical marijuana, the
parolee may request a modification of the conditions of the
parole to authorize the use of medical marijuana.
Any parolee whose request to
use medical marijuana while on parole is denied may pursue
an administrative appeal of the decision. Any decision on
the appeal shall be in writing and shall reflect the reasons
for the decision.
C. Paraphernalia
associated with medical use
Although the law does not
specifically address the legality of paraphernalia
associated with medical marijuana use, the law does provide
that a qualified patient or designated primary caregiver may
transport, posses, administer, deliver, or gives away
marijuana for medical purposes. As a result, ASA defines
paraphernalia associated with medical use protected as it
relates to the administration of medical marijuana.
D. Access to Medical
Marijuana
Medical marijuana patients
cannot go to a pharmacy to fill a prescription for medical
marijuana. Pharmacies can only dispense medications that are
"prescribed." Unfortunately, medical marijuana is classified
by the Federal government as a Schedule I drug which means
that it cannot be prescribed by any health care
professional.
In addition, the state of
California will not provide medical marijuana, seeds,
clones, or advice on how to obtain medical marijuana to any
patient. However, California is unique in that it is the
only State that currently allows for a system to distribute
medical marijuana. The CUA encourages "federal and state
governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and
affordable distribution of marijuana to all patients in
medical need of marijuana." Unfortunately, no such
well-defined plan currently exists. Until such a plan does
exist, patients may use caregivers (as spelled out by SB
420) or collectives and cooperatives to obtain their
medicine. SB 420 explicitly allows for collectives and
cooperatives and nothing in state law prohibits collectives
and cooperatives from dispensing as part of their operation.
E. Growing/Dispensing
Collectives and Cooperatives
Although California's medical
marijuana law specifically prohibits any individual or group
to cultivate or distribute medical marijuana for profit,
California does allow a primary caregiver to receive
compensation. This includes compensation for actual
expenses, including reasonable compensation incurred for
services provided to an eligible qualified patient which
enables that patient to use medical marijuana.
In addition, California's
medical marijuana law allows compensation for; "Any
individual who provides assistance to a qualified patient or
a person with an identification card, or his or her
designated primary caregiver, in administering medical
marijuana to the qualified patient or person or acquiring
the skills necessary to cultivate or administer marijuana
for medical purposes to the qualified patient or person."
These two concepts then
culminate under Cal. H & S 11362.775, which permits:
"Qualified patients, persons with valid identification
cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified
patients and persons with identification cards, who
associate within the state of California to collectively or
cooperatively cultivate marijuana for medical purposes.. As
a result of the above provisions, the following models have
developed and grown since the passage of the CUA and SB 420:
-
The Cooperative Model
seeks to combine the efforts of patients and caregivers,
as the two work together to educate the public and grow
cannabis. Each individual involved is expected to give
what he or she can to the endeavor. In return, the
cooperative offers its members safe access to medical
cannabis, often at no cost. While caregivers can be part
of a cooperative, none need participate for a
cooperative to be viable. A cooperative can be made up
of patients only. It should be noted that cooperatives
are entities defined by state law and that law must be
consulted and followed before a cooperative is formed;
-
The Collective Model is
considered very similar to the Cooperative Model, with
the significant difference being that state law does not
define cooperatives. It is recommended by ASA that
parties interested in providing medicine to groups of
patients follow a Cooperative Model to avoid potential
legal complications; and
-
The Collective or
Cooperative Dispensing Model is perhaps the most
commonly used model across the state. Due to the
conflict between state and federal law, specifically
with regard to "distribution," ASA encourages caution
when implementing such a model. From a patient's
standpoint, this model is the most simple, basic
mechanism through which they can receive medical
cannabis. Each dispensary maintains its own membership
of legally qualified patients, and those members are
allowed access to safe and affordable cannabis
medicines. A Collective or Cooperative Dispensary with
patient services is a more comprehensive model. With
this model, the dispensary does not simply provide its
members the opportunity to secure safe, medical-grade
cannabis, but also offers other services to meet the
needs of the patient's general well being. In this way,
the dispensary acts as its patient's primary caregiver,
as well as a provider of medicine. At these facilities,
health care providers may offer an array of services;
attorneys and legal workers may provide legal
information, educating patients and caregivers on their
rights; and other workshops and services may be offered
such as peer counseling, hospice-style care, classes on
various topics like cultivation, as well as other
special events benefiting the patients.
For a list of medical
cannabis dispensaries in their area, patients should check
http://www.canorml.org.
Americans for Safe access strongly recommends that any
patients who are interested in forming a dispensing
collective or cooperative consult an attorney before doing
so.
F. Caregivers
"Primary caregiver" means the
individual, designated by a qualified patient or by a person
with an identification card, who has consistently assumed
responsibility for the housing, health, or safety of that
patient or person, and may include any of the following:
-
In any case in which a
qualified patient or person with an identification card
receives medical care or supportive services, or both,
from a clinic, health care facility, residential care
facility for persons with chronic life-threatening
illness, a residential care facility for the elderly, a
hospice, or a home health agency, the owner or operator,
of no more than three employees who are designated by
the owner or operator, of the clinic, facility, hospice,
or home health agency, if designated as a primary
caregiver by that qualified patient or person with an
identification card;
-
An individual who has
been designated as a primary caregiver by more than one
qualified patient, if every qualified patient, who has
designated that individual as a primary caregiver
resides in the same city or county as the primary
caregiver;
-
An individual who has
been designated as a primary caregiver by a qualified
patient who resides in a city or county other than that
of the primary caregiver, may only be the designated
primary caregiver for one qualified patient at any given
time.
-
A patient's primary
caregiver must be at least 18 years of age, unless the
primary caregiver is the parent of a minor child who is
a qualified patient or a person with an identification
card or the primary caregiver is a person otherwise
entitled to make medical decisions under state law
pursuant to Sections 6922, 7002, 7050, or 7120 of the
Family Code.
G. Housing
California's medical
marijuana law does not require the accommodation of any
medical use of marijuana on the premises of any jail,
correctional facility, or other type of penal institution in
which prisoners reside or persons under arrest are detained.
However, pursuant to SB 420,
a person shall not be prohibited or prevented from:
-
Obtaining and submitting
the written information and documentation necessary to
apply for an identification card on the basis that the
person is incarcerated in a jail, correctional facility,
or other penal institution in which prisoners reside or
persons under arrest are detained; and
-
If a qualified patient,
using marijuana for medical purposes under circumstances
that will not endanger the health or safety of other
prisoners or the security of the facility.
H. Employment
Under Cal. H & S
11362.785(a), the accommodation of any medical use of
marijuana is not required on the property or premises of any
place of employment or during the hours of employment.
However, the California
medical marijuana law does not prohibit the employment of
any individual who engages in the medical use of marijuana
on the job. Additionally, the issue of employment-related
drug testing is not discussed.
I. Reciprocity
California Residents:
California currently has no reciprocity agreements with
other states to honor California's medical marijuana law.
This includes even those states that currently have medical
marijuana laws of their own.
However, in Montana, medical
marijuana patients from other states who are valid medical
marijuana patients under that state's law are protected
under Section 4(8) of the
Montana Medical Marijuana Act [Sec. 50-46-201(8), MCA].
A registry identification card or its equivalent issued by
another state government to permit the medical use of
marijuana by a qualifying patient or to permit a person to
assist with a qualifying patient's medical use of marijuana
has the same force and effect as a registry identification
card issued by the Department of Public Health and Human
Services in Montana. Therefore, medical marijuana patients
from California should be protected in Montana under Montana
state law. See the
Montana Patients Guide for details on the protections
and limitations that Montana state law affords medical
marijuana patients.
Additionally, in Rhode
Island,
The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana
Act (MMA) protects patients and primary caregivers from
outside Rhode Island who have a state issued medical
marijuana ID card, or its equivalent. The MMA states, “A
registry identification card, or its equivalent, issued
under the laws of another state, U.S. territory, or the
District of Columbia to permit the medical use of marijuana
by a qualifying patient, or to permit a person to assist
with a qualifying patient's medical use of marijuana, shall
have the same force and effect as a registry identification
card issued by the department.” Therefore, medical marijuana
patients from the other medical marijuana states that have
state issued cards should be protected in the state of Rhode
Island. See the
Rhode Island Patients Guide for more information.
In states with no medical
marijuana program, marijuana use, regardless of a doctor's
recommendation, is illegal. You may be arrested and charged
with civil or criminal offenses in those states.
J. Law Enforcement
No qualified patient or
designated primary caregiver in possession of a valid
physician's recommendation shall be subject to arrest for
possession, transportation, delivery, or cultivation of
medical marijuana in an amount established pursuant to this
article, unless there is reasonable cause to believe that
the information contained in their recommendation or ID card
is false or falsified, the documentation has been obtained
by means of fraud, or the person is otherwise in violation
of the provisions of this article. As discussed above it is
not necessary for a person to obtain an identification card
in order to claim the protections of Section 11362.5.
While SB 420 helped to
clarify the CUA and was meant to enforce protection of
patients and caregivers from arrest and prosecution, it said
nothing about medicine seizure, and unfortunately led way to
a split decision in People v. Mower (2003). The Mower
decision on its face looks good in that it reinforced
patients' apparent protection from arrest and prosecution.
However, the California Supreme Court ruled in Mower that
with "probable cause" police officers could search, seize
and arrest patients even after being provided valid
documentation. ASA is attempting to clarify "probable cause"
through proactive litigation against the state.
Additionally, under Cal. H &
S 11362.78; "A state or local law enforcement agency or
officer shall not refuse to accept an identification card
issued by the Department unless the state or local law
enforcement agency or officer has reasonable cause to
believe that the information contained in the card is false
or fraudulent, or the card is being used fraudulently."
A person found to have
fraudulently obtained access to medical marijuana will be
subject to the following penalties:
-
For the first offense,
imprisonment in the county jail for no more than six
months or a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars
($1,000), or both; and
-
For a second or
subsequent offense, imprisonment in the county jail for
no more than one year, or a fine not to exceed one
thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.
In addition to the penalties
described above, any person may be precluded from attempting
to obtain, or obtaining or using, an identification card for
a period of up to six months at the discretion of the court.
K. Confidentiality
California's current
confidentiality protocols are as follows. First, the
identification cards (described above) that will be issued
by the Department shall contain only a random serial number
as the identifying information for the patient. The
patient's name, address, and other sensitive information
will not be available to law enforcement or others simply
based on the viewing the card. Additionally, the Department
will establish and maintain a 24-hour, toll-free telephone
number that will enable state and local law enforcement
officers to have immediate access to information necessary
to verify the validity of an identification card issued by
the department, until a cost-effective Internet Web-based
system can be developed for this purpose.
The Department will also
create protocols to confirm the accuracy of information
contained in an application and to protect the
confidentiality of program records.
L. Insurance
California's medical
marijuana law does not require a governmental, private, or
any other health insurance provider or health care service
plan to be liable for any claim for reimbursement for the
medical use of marijuana.
However, upon satisfactory
proof of participation and eligibility in the Medi-Cal
program, a Medi-Cal beneficiary shall receive a 50 percent
reduction in the registration fees established pursuant to
this section.
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