Pubdate: Tue, 07 Aug 2007 Source: Tribune, The (San Luis Obispo, CA) Copyright: 2007 The Tribune Contact: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/391 Author: Stephen Curran Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) Morro Bay Dispensary FORMER POT SHOP OWNER PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES Charles Lynch Denies Federal Claims That He Distributed the Drug to Minors The former owner of a Morro Bay medical marijuana dispensary has pleaded not guilty to allegations that he used his operation as a front for illegally selling the drug. Charles Lynch of Arroyo Grande appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday to face federal charges that he and several employees at Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers grew and sold cannabis for profit and distributed it to minors. He pleaded not guilty to distributing marijuana to minors, maintaining premises that were involved with illegal drugs and aiding and abetting illegal marijuana distribution to minors, said Lou Koory, his San Luis Obispo attorney. Patients have said Lynch provided a needed service for those suffering from debilitating conditions such as cancer or AIDS. Lynch declined to comment on Monday's hearing. Federal and local authorities raided the dispensary and Lynch's Arroyo Grande home March 29. Authorities later told Bob Davis, landlord of the building in which the dispensary operated, that the property at 780 Monterey Ave. could be seized if he continued to rent to a medical marijuana dispensary. The dispensary closed permanently May 31. Federal agents arrested Lynch at his Arroyo Grande home July 17 and booked him at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles. He was released on $400,000 bail. The actions against Lynch come as medical marijuana dispensaries continue to operate under a legal gray area that pits California's voter-approved Compassionate Use Act against the federal government, which outlaws all pot use. Lynch's arrest has prompted about a dozen supporters to launch the Friends of Charles C. Lynch fund to raise money for his legal defense. "What they're doing and what they've done to Charles (Lynch) is unforgivable," former dispensary employee Gina Armstrong said. "He is the most compassionate man in this whole county, as far as I'm concerned. He's been cleaned out by the federal government." The legal clash has forced community leaders in San Luis Obispo and elsewhere in California to proceed cautiously when deciding whether to allow medical marijuana dispensaries. After Lynch's arrest, Morro Bay's city attorney suggested that the City Council wait to see how aggressively federal agents prosecute dispensary owners before moving forward with an ordinance that would govern where they could set up. The county Planning Commission, meanwhile, deadlocked last month over plans for a 1,450-square-foot medical marijuana dispensary at 3850 Ramada Drive in Templeton. Commissioners disagreed over whether the dispensary would have violated an ordinance that prohibits them near a downtown business district or within 1,000 feet of any school, library, playground, park or youth recreation area. The commission is set to reconsider that proposal Oct. 25. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake