The Compassionate Coalition

Yolo County Votes to Issue MM ID Cards
February 27, 2007

The Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted this morning to move ahead with the medical marijuana ID card program (MMIC), despite opposition from the Sheriff and District Attorney.

The Board split 3-2 on the issue, with Chairwoman Yamada, Supervisor Thompson and Supervisor McGowan voting in favor of the program, and Supervisors Rexroad and Chamberlain opposing.

Yolo County Health Officer, Dr. Hinton, spoke first on the issue, and provided detailed information on the program, urging the Board to support it. This presentation was followed by public comments, which included several excellent speakers, all in favor of the ID card program.

I'd like to thank these people who volunteered their time to show up and speak, they all did an excellent job!! Thanks to Aaron Smith from Safe Access Now for proving the council with factual information in advance, and for organizing supporters, and giving a great speech before the Board today! Thanks to Nikos Leverenz from the Drug Policy Alliance for his speech as well, professional and moving as always. Thanks to Sherrie Bar(sp?), local care provider and nurse, and Peter Simpson, Executive Director of Harm Reduction services, for speaking on behalf of suffering patients. And thanks to all the other patients who showed up to support!

In addition, a physician from The Health Council spoke, and explained that his group, consisting on physicians, nurses, patients, and other health professionals, has recently reviewed the available information, and unanimously concluded that the benefits of medical marijuana greatly out-weigh the potential harms. This study was news to me, so I'll follow-up and find out more about it.

Thanks again to everyone who showed up to defend our rights, and thanks to the Board of Supervisors for doing the right thing!

Nathan Sands
Sacramento Chapter Representative, National Communications Director
The Compassionate Coalition
www.CompassionateCoalition.org
Email: nathan@CompassionateCoalition.org