Planners mull pot dispensaries

Advocates and opponents of medical marijuana voiced their opinions Wednesday at a Planning Commission hearing on a proposed ordinance that would legalize dispensaries in Laguna Beach.

The commission hearing was a review of a draft ordinance ordered by the City Council, comporting with a state law passed in 1996 that exempts “qualified users” and lawful suppliers from criminal prosecution. The ordinance, if adopted, would put Laguna Beach in the minority of cities in surrounding areas.

Opinions expressed by the public were divided.

“I am dissatisfied with the council decision to support an ordinance that virtually no other city has,” said Timothy Aires, a resident and parent. “You have been tasked to craft an ordinance. Please take into account the interests of our young people and our families.”

Aires was distressed by the response of his 15-year-old daughter when told about the possible ordinance: “Cool!”

Resident Ross Embry saluted the girl’s reaction.

“Marijuana is not a gateway drug. It’s a good thing, not a bad thing,” said Embry, who identified himself as a longtime user living with AIDS.

People living with AIDS and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are among the champions of access to medical marijuana.

“I got into the field when my grandfather had bladder cancer,” said Sheridan Linehan, who has filed an application with the city to open a dispensary and rented offices.

Linehan said his maternal grandfather was losing weight because chemotherapy was making him nauseous and unable to eat.

“We heard about medical marijuana, and it helped him,” Linehan said. ”It improved his life before he passed. I have been studying it ever since.”

Linehan said his grandfather smoked marijuana and ate products laced with it.

City staff recommended barring edible products in dispensaries in Laguna, a position disputed by some advocates.

“Patients with respiratory problems find it easier to swallow than to smoke,” said Laguna Beach High School senior Will Armstrong.

The commission must also decide whether to recommend a ban on marijuana not grown on the site of the dispensary.

Linehan said on-site cultivation was essential in order to control the chemicals and additives to the marijuana and to simplify police oversight.