Fresno County unveils medical marijuana ID program

Beginning today, the Fresno County Department of Public Health will be accepting applications for the state's medical marijuana identification card program.

In order to obtain an ID card, you must be a qualified medical marijuana patient or caregiver under California law, reside within the county of Fresno, and pay an application fee, which has been set at $49 for Medi-Cal recipients and $107 for all others.

To make an appointment to apply for an ID card, call the county health department at (559) 445-3434 during normal business hours.

It is not mandatory to obtain an ID card, but many patients and caregivers find them to be extremely helpful in avoiding detainment, arrest, or seizure of property by state and local law enforcement. The state's medical marijuana ID cards are the only type of identification that offers legal protection from arrest - not just prosecution.

The card design includes the cardholder's status as patient or caregiver, a photo, unique ID number, and an expiration date - but your name and contact information will be left off.

For more information about California's ID card program, visit MPP's FAQ site and/or the state's official Web site.

For over a year, MPP staff and local medical marijuana patients lobbied the Fresno County Board of Supervisors in support of this program. As a result of that work, the day has finally arrived when local patients and caregivers finally have the legal protections they deserve.

Please consider making a financial contribution to MPP so that we can continue doing this kind of work in Fresno County and across the nation.

Thank you for supporting MPP and our work in your community. Please pass this alert on to Fresno County patients or caregivers who might be interested in obtaining a medical marijuana ID card.