Plans Derailed to Open Pot Dispensary on Maldonado Property

Plans to open a medical marijuana dispensary on property owned by the family of former lieutenant governor and congressional candidate Abel Maldonado may have become derailed as news of the potentially embarrassing deal came to light just before Thanksgiving, thanks to a political blogger. Plans to open the new dispensary in a Nipomo building owned by the Maldonado family were initially filed with the County of San Luis Obispo on 10/5. But Monday, Maldonado said his father — the managing partner — did not know that a dispensary was in the works when he initially signed papers with dispensary operator David Rosenthal. Rosenthal declined to discuss the matter other than to say he operated in good faith and that attorneys for both sides would meet later this week to resolve the matter. Maldonado said his family would not be involved in the deal because it could become subject federal asset seizure.