HEMPERY GETS NEW OWNER

HAYWARD -- The owner of the Hayward Hempery and one of Alameda County's
most well-known medical marijuana suppliers has left downtown for a
quieter life two hours north of San Francisco.

Bob Wilson, who has run a hemp business in the downtown area for nearly
a decade, leaves a legacy of about 1,000 medical marijuana patients he
said he's helped over the years.

On Monday, Wilson announced that he sold the Hempery. The new owner,
Cheryl Adams of San Leandro, took over April 20.

"I just have way too many things to do," Wilson said. "I'm going to see
if I can be a country gentleman."

He's moving to Clearlake, where he plans to open a bed and breakfast.

He will be just a short drive away from the marijuana farm run by
Californians for Compassionate Use.

The farm is affiliated with Dennis Peron, who wrote Prop. 215.

That law legalized marijuana for medicinal use in California but its
vagueness has left users and cops confused. Parts of the proposition
still are being worked out in a variety of state and federal court
cases.

Wilson's tenure in Hayward has not been without controversy. Last year,
police raided the Hempery, 22580 Foothill Blvd., and found a
marijuana-growing operation inside the building at the corner of
Foothill and B Street.

Although police said the grow overstepped the bounds of Prop. 215,
Wilson still has not been charged with a crime. The District Attorney's
Office did not return phone calls Monday. Previously, a prosecutor said
he was still reviewing patient files seized in the February 2000 raid.

Before that, the Hempery was held up by armed gunmen. Police also linked
one of those robberies to a home invasion in the Hayward hills; the
invader was shot to death by someone he attacked.

Through it all, people in southern Alameda County have sung Wilson's
praises. Patient after patient said he is exactly the sort of caring
person needed to help sick people legally use cannabis.

Wilson always drew a distinction between the Hempery and his patient
collective, and new owner Adams said she'll do the same. The Hempery
sold hemp clothing and other products.

Adams is considering changing the name and wants to add herbs, oils,
natural remedies and other health products to store shelves.

But, she said, she plans to visit city officials to try to work out a
plan that will let her provide people with medicinal marijuana without
police interference.

"I'm hoping that everything will be different," the 28-year-old Adams
said. "I want to raise public awareness."

Like Wilson, Adams uses marijuana herself. She said it helps her
migraines and arthritis and also encourages the appetite she has lost
since having her stomach stapled.

Adams was born in Castro Valley and grew up in Hayward before moving to
San Leandro. She has two children. Her partner, the man who helped her
buy the business, has cancer and also uses cannabis.

"Part of the reason Bob had problems with the city" is because the store
doesn't look very nice, Adams said. "It's not going to be an eyesore, as
some people have called it."

She has a lot of work ahead. Although it was a popular hangout, the
store smells musty and is run down inside. It has holes in its ceiling
and mismatched flooring, among other problems.

Adams, a first-time business owner, said she will stay open through the
renovations. She is upbeat and excited about her store's "perfect"
location.

So what about an agreement with the city to keep providing marijuana?

"We're always agreeable to discussing issues with members of the
community, especially business owners," said Hayward police Lt. Rick
Parker.

He did not want to be more specific.