SANTA ANA, Calif. - Orange County supervisors want more study before deciding on whether to issue medical marijuana identification cards.

The board voted 4-1 on Tuesday to order the Health Care Agency to draft an ordinance and bring it back in three months. Supervisors want an examination of law enforcement's role, a test of the state law and how other counties deal with the ID cards.

Even if the Board of Supervisors comes up with a medical marijuana card plan, Sheriff Mike Carona won't honor the ID cards.

A sheriff's representative told the board the department would continue confiscating pot and the prescription-like paperwork. Still, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said he doesn't prosecute those cited for marijuana possession if they have proper medical documentation.

"It puts local law enforcement right in the middle of that debate where, quite frankly, we don't want to be," Assistant Sheriff Steve Bishop said.

Proposition 215 legalizing medical marijuana use was approved by California voters in 1996, and a 2003 state law ordered county health agencies to issue photo ID cards that verify legitimate users.

Marijuana possession is still illegal under federal law, however.

Board Chairman Chris Norby said Orange County supervisors have a moral imperative to offer relief to suffering, ill people and provide a leadership role in implementing a state law.

"They're asking us to make them law abiders, not lawbreakers," Norby said.