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News in brief from California's North Coast

Associated Press

Santa Rosa, CA Sept 27, 2005 -- Sonoma County plans to charge medical marijuana patients $80 a year for identification cards designed to protect them from arrest by state and local authorities.

The fee, which was expected to be approved by the Board of Supervisors, would cover annual administrative costs to supply cards to the county's medical pot users.

The county plans to start accepting applications for the ID cards in November.

"I encourage people to participate if they feel comfortable," said Doc Knapp, spokesman for the Sonoma Alliance for Medical Marijuana. "The bar to arrest is the main benefit. And just not having to worry."

The cards were mandated by the state Legislature two years ago to clarify the voter-approved initiative that allowed marijuana for medical purposes.