"These are just guidelines," Mendocino County District Attorney Norman Vroman said. "They are not cast in stone. We had to start some place, and this is where we started."

Although the program will protect participants from arrest by Mendocino County authorities, it isn't recognized by federal drug agents, and the U.S. Justice Department has refused to recognize California's medical marijuana law.

Appearing at a news conference Thursday afternoon with Vroman, Sheriff Tony Craver unveiled the application forms and the laminated cards, which have space for a photo, an expiration date and the patient's name, date of birth and identification number.

Application forms are available at offices of the district attorney, sheriff and public health department.

A dozen people already have requested the forms, Craver said.

Mendocino County modeled its policy on a program used for nearly two years in Arcata, but it is considered novel in at least two regards.

First, it requires the public health department to check on doctors' recommendations and to keep the physicians' names confidential. In Arcata, police check with the doctors.

Second, applicants must provide basic information on their appearance, address, where their marijuana is grown and a few other details that the sheriff will keep on file to allow dispatchers to verify whether a person is covered by the program.

The approach is markedly different than in Sonoma County, where medicinal users must forward their doctors' recommendations to a Sonoma County Medical Association peer review committee for a decision. Once approval is granted, it's up to the individual to contact the district attorney, who decides how much marijuana the person can have.

I am a massachusetts resident who is considering moving to Mendicino County in the future , but I was wondering if a out of state person can aquire a I.D. Thank you for your time.

Peace,
steve