[420 Girl]

Officials have extended a temporary ban on opening medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated San Joaquin County into next year in order to craft a permanent ordinance.

The county board of supervisors approved the interim ordinance last month in response to the proliferation of dispensaries in Stockton and other places in California, and inquiries from at least 10 individuals or groups seeking information about the county's rules.

The move Tuesday drew little discussion or public input when compared with last month's public hearing that put the ban in place.

Two advocates for medical marijuana were pleased with the extension of the moratorium, saying it gave the county time to craft a good ordinance.

"The more time you take with your ordinance, the better off we'll all be," said Mary Wanda Young, whose Mary Wanda Medicine collective is based in the county.

Safe access is important, and there should be a clear distinction between medical and recreational marijuana, said Lanette Davies, an advocate from Sacramento.

The interim ordinance is scheduled to end March 1, 2011.

Recent openings of dispensaries in Stockton prompted City Hall to put together an ordinance sanctioning and regulating dispensaries for medical marijuana.

The City Council is expected to consider the ordinance at a meeting in the near future.

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