SUPERVISORS AGREE TO ISSUE MEDICINAL MARIJUANA ID CARDS

Santa Clara County residents who have a doctor's note will soon be
able to apply for a state-mandated medicinal marijuana identification
card, which is supposed to ease any hassle if they are pulled over by police.

The board of supervisors unanimously agreed Tuesday to issue the
cards in the county. The public-health department should issue the ID
cards by March 1, spokeswoman Teresa Chagoya said.

The cards are the result of SB 420, a law requiring counties to issue
them. The law amends previously unclear portions of Proposition 215,
which voters approved in 1996, allowing people with valid medical
ailments to use marijuana.

The federal government considers marijuana illegal.

San Mateo County began offering cards in January. Other Bay Area
counties are expected to offer the program soon.

The Santa Clara County card will cost a client $60 a year, $30 for
those on Medi-Cal. County officials estimate 2,600 patients will
apply this year.

To apply for a card, residents must provide doctor's proof that they
have a serious medical condition and that marijuana use is appropriate.

There is no medicinal marijuana dispensary in Santa Clara County.