The CA Department of Health Services (DHS) announced in January a more than tenfold increase in the fee for a state medical marijuana ID card, from $13 to $142. The voluntary program, created by Senate Bill SB 420, took effect in 2004 to improve patient access to cannabis through ID cards and locally regulated sales outlets.

Ironically, the same Health and Safety Code section that created the state ID card program also prohibits undue profits from the distribution of medical marijuana; yet DHS can impose its own 1100 percent fee hike.

That increase represents only the state’s portion of the total fees charged; counties charge an additional fee to cover their own administrative costs. The increase is said to be needed to cover the cost of the program, which has been running at a major deficit. Applications for the state card have been running far behind expectations: so far only 5,631 cards have been issued.

Compounding the shortfall, only 23 of the state’s 58 counties currently offer ID cards. Officials from DHS expect enrollment to take off once the San Diego lawsuit is settled and other, large counties come aboard, such as Los Angeles.

California NORML director Dale Gieringer expressed fears, however, that the fee increase is likely to have the opposite effect by discouraging new applicants. He said that estimates of the number of the state’s Prop 215 qualified patients run from 150,000 to 350,000, meaning they have a doctor’s approval. All would theoretically be eligible for a state ID card.

Aaron Smith of Safe Access Now, a patient support organization, called it “frustrating” that the state is spending that kind of money to print a card, mail it, maintain an electronic database on their server and give minimal training to staff.

Plumas County Supervisors voted 4-0 Jan. 23 to begin implementation of the ID card program through their DHS. Cards will be available March 1 and cost $184 ($113 for MediCal patients). The state increase is already factored into the fee.