POT CLUB CLIENT JAILED

Allegedly Supplied Millbrae Students With Drugs, Alcohol

A 23-year-old homeless man is in custody on suspicion of supplying students
at a Millbrae high school with alcohol and drugs, including marijuana he
allegedly purchased from a San Francisco cannabis club, authorities said.

Millbrae police arrested Shawn Henry Simon on Monday morning in Rotary
Park, blocks from Mills High School. Students interviewed by police said
Simon had been supplying them with prescription drugs, marijuana and
alcohol for about six weeks.

District Attorney Jim Fox said his office is considering additional felony
charges, including drug trafficking within 1,000 feet of a school.

Simon, who previously lived in San Francisco, was on state disability
insurance for a hip injury. This documented medical condition allowed him
to become a member of a cannabis club in the city.

At the time of his arrest, Simon allegedly carried a card from the county
of San Francisco certifying his eligibility to purchase marijuana for his
own use.

Millbrae police did not return calls Thursday to confirm further details of
the arrest.

The incident could hurt the chances of a San Carlos man's application to
open the first marijuana dispensary in San Mateo County. The application,
filed earlier this month, was sent directly to the county's legal counsel
for review. Community leaders predicted a bitter battle should the county
approve it.

Ron Alatorre, principal at Mills, said he understands that selling
marijuana to people for medical purposes is legal and may be necessary.
But, he added, private cannabis clubs need to be held accountable for
illegal actions by their customers.

``They need to take steps to educate or warn their customers, make sure
people using know the ramifications of selling to children,'' he explained.

Representatives of cannabis clubs could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Alatorre said those who consider breaking the law should be told that the
penalties are higher if they sell drugs or provide alcohol to minors.

Contact Camille Mojica Rey at cmrey@sjmercury.com or (650) 366-0145.