LAGUNA WOODS TO ALLOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA SALES

Council Opts for Restrictions, Including a Residents-Only Clause.

LAGUNA WOODS - Three years ago, Shari Horne watched her 82-year-old
mother die of lung cancer.

"She starved in front of my eyes," Horne says. "Maybe some medically
prescribed marijuana might have stimulated her appetite."

In 30 days, ailing residents of heavily senior Laguna Woods will be
able to buy medically prescribed marijuana -- from a dispensary
within their city of 18,500.

Bucking a trend in Orange County, Laguna Woods on Wednesday became
the first local city to pass an ordinance allowing medical marijuana
dispensaries. So far no potential vendors have approached the city.

There are dispensaries in about a half-dozen other cities, including
Lake Forest and Laguna Niguel, but until now none have opened with
the blessing of a city. Many have done nothing on a hazy issue in
which state and federal laws conflict.

Some cities, including Huntington Beach, Laguna Hills and Mission
Viejo, have enacted bans or moratoriums on the dispensaries, which
cropped up after a 1996 state law, the Compassionate Use Act, allowed
people to use medical marijuana.

Federal law outlaws all marijuana use.

Laguna Woods officials who support the ordinance say ailing residents
should have safe access to medical marijuana.

"Nobody is saying, 'We want to (get) 'buzzed' especially people our
age," said Councilman Bob Ring, one of four to vote yes Wednesday.
Councilman Bob Bouer abstained.

"What this decision says is that if you're in pain and marijuana
helps, shouldn't you be able to get marijuana in a safe place?"

It's unclear if other Orange County cities will follow Laguna Woods' lead.

City Manager Leslie Keane noted the city's profile: The average age
of Laguna Woods residents is 78, and about 90 percent of them live in
the gated retirement community of Laguna Woods Village.

"We have somewhat unique circumstances," Keane said. "Many of our
residents are in end-of-life situations and in chronic pain."

One man told Laguna Woods officials he recently was forced to buy
marijuana from a street dealer.

The new ordinance comes with many restrictions, including a minimum
1,000-foot distance that any medical marijuana dispensary must be
from schools and other youth-oriented facilities.

Only residents will be allowed to purchase marijuana from a
dispensary. In some cases, their caretakers will be permitted to buy
it for them.

Critics contend that the dispensaries invite crime. Others cite the
federal law.

As of January, 63 of California's 480 cities had banned medical
marijuana dispensaries and 29 had adopted ordinances permitting and
regulating them to varying degrees, according to Laguna Woods city documents.

"I'm just a little afraid that it's against federal law, and that it
might not be a good idea to get involved in something that might
cause problems," said Laguna Woods resident Marilynn Sortino.

Sortino, 73, a retired ATT project manager who is running for City
Council, spoke against the idea before the council.

Advocates of medical marijuana use praised the city's decision.

"It's a very positive step," said Cha Hanna, Orange County chapter
coordinator for Americans for Safe Access, which advocates for
patient's rights. "All of the other cities that are banning
(dispensaries) are violating the spirit of the Compassionate Use Act.

"These ordinances allow people to purchase marijuana in a safe
environment and to avoid the black market and illicit sales," Hanna said.

Horne moved to Laguna Woods after her mother died.

"I just think there should be freedom of choice," she said. "I'm
tired of people being looked at like they just crawled out from under
a rock just because they happen to need to smoke pot."

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THE LAGUNA WOODS ORDINANCE

What: The Laguna Woods City Council voted 4-0, with one abstention,
to allow medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.

When: Starting in mid-October, dispensaries will be allowed. There
currently are no applications to open one.

Where: In unspecified commercial/office areas located outside the
gated community of Laguna Woods Village.

Restrictions:

Dispensary clients must be residents of Laguna Woods. Caretakers will
be allowed to purchase marijuana after meeting certain requirements.

Dispensaries must be located at least 1,000 feet from schools,
daycare centers, playgrounds and other youth-oriented establishments.

They must be operated as collectives or non-profit organizations.

Hours of operation limited to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

No one under 18 allowed in dispensaries at any time.

Source: Laguna Woods City Council