Pubdate: Thu, 25 Feb 2016 Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA) Copyright: 2016 Union-Tribune Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.utsandiego.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386 Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area. Author: David Garrick Government TWO MORE LEGAL S.D. POT DISPENSARIES TO OPEN Two additional permitted medical marijuana dispensaries are scheduled to open this weekend in San Diego, including the first legal dispensary in close proximity to La Jolla, Del Mar Heights, Carmel Valley and Sorrento Valley. The new dispensaries bring the total number operating legally in San Diego to seven, with an additional six that have been approved under the city's 2014 medical marijuana ordinance expected to open in coming months. The dispensaries opening this weekend are Torrey Holistics, which is near the Sorrento Valley Coaster station at 10671 Roselle St., and San Diego Health and Wellness, at 5125 Convoy St. in Kearny Mesa. They join Harbor Collective, 2405 Harbor Drive in Barrio Logan; Mankind Cooperative, 7128 Miramar Road in Mira Mesa; A Green Alternative at 2335 Roll Drive in Otay Mesa; Point Loma Patients Cooperative at 3452 Hancock St. in the Midway District; and Southwest Patient Group at 658 E. San Ysidro Blvd. The other six dispensaries approved by the city are two in Kearny Mesa and one each in Mission Valley, eastern Pacific Beach, the Stockton neighborhood and the Midway District. A 14th permitted dispensary at 1028 Buenos Ave. in Linda Vista is scheduled for final approval by the Planning Commission on April 7. The full impact of legal dispensaries won't be felt until city officials successfully complete ongoing efforts to close dozens of illegal dispensaries that continue to operate throughout San Diego. Many customers, which dispensaries prefer to call patients, can't tell the difference between legal and illegal dispensaries. Torrey Holistics is the only dispensary approved for north coastal City Council District 1. San Diego Health and Wellness is among four dispensaries approved for council District 6, which includes Mira Mesa, Kearny Mesa and parts of Clairemont. No dispensaries have been approved in Districts 4, 5, 7 or 9, primarily because of zoning hurdles. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom