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.