The ID cards serve to let law enforcement know patients meet the requirements of the state's compassionate use act.

Card holders must have a physician's prescription for medicinal marijuana.

The ID program is voluntary, and the health department warns people that the cards may be obtained by federal officials to identify them for prosecution.

Currently, just Shasta, Trinity, Amador, Del Norte and Mendocino counties have computer systems to issue the cards. So far, 123 cards have been issued.

CA State Attorney General

Medicinal marijuana users in California can once again get a state-issued identification card.

The program was halted last month over concerns about its legality, but after review by the state Attorney General's office, the state is resuming issuing the cards.

"The state attorney general has reviewed this concern and says that California can issue ID cards to medical marijuana uses without state employees facing prosecution for assisting in the commission of a federal crime," said state Department of Health Director Sandra Shewry.