Groups Threaten Lawsuit Over Suspension of Medical Marijuana ID Card Program

The Drug Policy Alliance and the American Civil Liberties Union on Tuesday sent a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) threatening a lawsuit against the state if the recently suspended medical marijuana identification card program is not reinstated by close of business on July 19, the Oakland Tribune reports (Richman, Oakland Tribune, 7/14).

Department of Health Services officials on July 8 announced the state program would be suspended while Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) reviews the legal implications of the program (California Healthline, 7/11).

On Wednesday, Lockyer spokesperson Teresa Schilling said the attorney general's office is working "as fast as we can" to issue an opinion on the ID card program.

California Highway Patrol Action

Meanwhile, Oakland-based Americans for Safe Access is seeking an injunction to prevent the California Highway Patrol from seizing medical marijuana from patients who have an ID card or a doctor's recommendation.

In documents filed Wednesday in Alameda County Superior Court, ASA argues that CHP's seizure policy violates a state Supreme Court decision on probable cause for seizing marijuana (Oakland Tribune, 7/14).

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