Pubdate: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 Source: Laguna Beach Independent, The (CA) Contact: 2009 The Laguna Beach Independent Website: http://www.lagunabeachindependent.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5013 Author: Andrea Adelson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal) POT DISPENSARY RULES EXPECTED SOON Despite the incessant blinking of a red light at the public speaker's lectern, typically signaling an end to the permitted threeminute pleas to the City Council, Sheridan Linehan continued, describing his grandfather's death the week before and his use of medical marijuana while battling bone cancer. In February, Laguna Beach became the latest city to impose a temporary moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries, dealing a setback to Linehan. The 29-year-old from Aliso Viejo, who also runs a carpet cleaning business, already has spent thousands of dollars and several months attempting to satisfy 12 pages of city-required permit stipulations to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Laguna Beach. Linehan returned again on Tuesday to plea to be allowed to open his proposed Laguna Beach Medical while the city develops its guidelines. While his direct plea was turned aside, Linehan's goal came within closer reach. "It's legal. We in California voted for it. Why will it have to be a 10 and half month wait?" asked a member of the audience, resident Bonnie Hano, who voiced support for a service that alleviates pain and nausea in ill people. With an unexpected ally and his own emotional backstory, the Council's sympathies seemed to shift. Council member Verna Rollinger asked city staff to speed the measure along so that a final version reaches their desks by mid summer. "That's a step in the right direction," Linehan said after the 4-0 vote. Councilmember Jane Egly was absent for a portion of the meeting. During his testimony, he pointed out the Obama administration earlier this month said it would not prosecute operators of medical marijuana dispensaries, despite the seeming conflict with federal law, and that he has already complied and exceeded guidelines developed by the state's attorney general, which include a prohibition on dispensary clients smoking within 1,000 feet of a school. Linehan agreed to hire a store security guard to rebuff potential loiterers and keep clients from lighting up near the premises. "I live in Aliso Viejo. This is my beach. I won't tolerate people doing things they aren't supposed to," Linehan said. His application, which has advanced farther than others that have been submitted, was the impetus for city planners to propose their own ordinance, the city's development director, John Montgomery, told the Council on Tuesday in seeking to extend the moratorium on approving pot dispensaries until next February. Despite the prospect of winning a permit sometime midyear, Linehan is uncertain he can afford to hold onto the $2,000 a month lease, required under the city's existing guidelines for a conditional use permit. He plans to appeal for a rent break to the property owner's son and real estate manager, Brian Bolton. "I'm running out of money," Linehan said.