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Written communication was submitted to Council from Rabbi Judith Seid urging Council not to place a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries in Pleasanton. She noted that these dispensaries are of no harm to the community and are a necessary medical service for those who are desperately ill. Written communication was submitted to Council from Matt Maciel, a Pleasanton resident, who believed it was imperative to the prosperity of the Pleasanton community to ban medical marijuana dispensaries from the City indefinitely. Written communication was submitted to Council from Nathan Sands, Chairman of the Board, The Compassionate Coalition, outlining the basic laws relating to medical marijuana and municipal authority. Mayor Hosterman closed the public hearing. Mr. Brozosky believed it was unfortunate that Council is in the situation where the politicians and the federal government are requiring other politicians to make medical decisions as politicians are not qualified to make these decisions. He believed the federal government should acknowledge this and allow this to occur through legal methods of pharmacies. He requested that staff work on this matter and return to Council with finality to address this issue. Ms. McGovern pointed out that the staff report included an article from Alameda County in which Supervisor Nate Miley mentions opening a medical marijuana dispensary at Fairmont Hospital in San Leandro as an alternative to private or nonprofit clubs that sometimes run afoul of residents or businesses concerned about loitering and other nuisances. She believed this should continue to be explored in communities, as the common goal is safety for its residents. Mr. Sullivan concurred with comments made by Mr. Brozosky and Ms. McGovern. He supported staff's recommendation and was hopeful that staff would return to Council with solutions and ways to approach this in concert with other communities. He believed Council should be sending messages to its state representatives stating that it would like this situation to exist but federal law trumps it. Mr. Thorne concurred with the comments made by Mr. Brozosky, Ms. McGovern and Mr. Sullivan. He noted that he has not been able to understand why something that has a health implication, even though it is a regulated drug, does not have the same distribution system as other regulated drugs, which he believed should be solved. He did not believe it was appropriate to place cities in a position where they are bucking the federal government and its own citizens who voted for the proposition. Mayor Hosterman concurred with all comments made by fellow councilmembers. She expressed her concern about Pleasanton residents not being able to have access to medical marijuana to relieve pain when necessary. It was moved by Mr. Thorne, seconded by Ms. McGovern, to adopt Ordinance 1923, an urgency ordinance imposing a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries. Pleasanton City Council 7 08/16/05 Minutes