[420 Girl]

San Bernardino County Supervisors have extended the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries until June 19, 2010, to allow county staff to develop guidelines for the distribution points.

The extension of the moratorium was approved on a unanimous vote of the supervisors and will not preclude or delay implementation of the Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program. That program is expected to begin later this month.

Last month, supervisors adopted Urgency Interim Ordinance 4083, establishing the temporary moratorium on the issuance of permits for dispensaries. Since that time, staff has commenced an extensive review of the legal and policy issues involved in regulating the dispensaries.

During Tuesday's meeting in the County Government Center, supervisors approved the extension because Julie Rynerson Rock, from the Land Use Services Department, explained staff needed additional time, past Sunday's (August 9) expiration date of the emergency ordinance.

In addition to the review process, the County Planning Commission is required to voice a formal opinion on any recommended changes to the Development Code prior to consideration of those changes by the board of supervisors.

While the ordinance was extended to June 19, 2010, county staff could complete the process in advance of that date and bring recommendations to the board.

"Staff is expediting the process," Rynerson Rock's staff presentation stated, "in light of the expressed public interest in the board reaching a prompt decision on this matter."

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