The San Diego County Democratic Party is endorsing measures that would force Del Mar, Solana Beach and two other cities in the region to allow medical marijuana dispensaries within their borders.

"We have a history of supporting access to medical marijuana," said county Democratic Party chair Jess Durfee said in explaining the endorsement.

Citizens for Patient Rights collected enough signatures to force the Del Mar, Solana Beach and Lemon Grove city councils to put identical measures on the November ballot. A separate effort led to the Imperial Beach measure.

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A U.S. attorney's office opinion on a medical marijuana measure in Del Mar has led to a robust debate over whether the opinion was more of a threat than an impartial perspective.

At issue is a November ballot measure that would force Del Mar to allow medical marijuana dispensaries. Voters will be deciding similar measures in Solana Beach and the East County city of Lemon Grove.

U.S. Attorney Laura Duffy, in a July 17 letter addressed to Del Mar City Attorney Leslie Devaney, said city employees "who conduct activities mandated by the ordinance are not immune from liability under the (Controlled Substances Act.)

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Solana Beach is a step closer to allowing medical marijuana dispensaries within its borders.

The city clerk's office has notified backers of dispensaries that they've collected enough valid signatures to force the City Council to either adopt new rules allowing for the businesses or put the matter to a public vote.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. on July 25 to discuss the issue.

"We're excited to have qualified the compassionate use ballot measure in Solana Beach and are very appreciative of the City Council and city clerk for scheduling a special meeting to address this important issue before the August 10 deadline to submit ballot measures for the November ballot," said James Schmachtenberger of the Patient Care Association of California.

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