MEDICINAL MARIJUANA SUPPORTERS OPTIMISTIC

SAN FRANCISCO -- Despite the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling barring
distribution of marijuana for medicinal uses to Californians whose doctors
prescribe it, cannabis supporters are optimistic they will win the fight in
the long run.

Supporters, including San Francisco District Attorney Terence Hallinan,
said Tuesday that they are not quite willing to give up the court battle.
But they concede that the quest to legalize marijuana as medicine will most
likely be resolved in Congress and the White House rather than in the courts.

"The federal classification of marijuana as a drug with no medical benefit
is a case where the federal law is wrong," Hallinan said. "We hoped the
courts would agree with the doctors on this."

The Supreme Court's 7-1 ruling, in response to an emergency request from
the Clinton administration, postponed the effect of a federal court ruling
that would have allowed the Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative to
distribute marijuana for medicinal use. Although it is the first time the
Supreme Court has ruled on the issue, it does not mean the justices have
made their final decision on it.

Tuesday's order from the high court suspends a lower court ruling until the
issue can be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San
Francisco. No date has been set for the next round of appeals.

"This is just a small bump in the road," said Robert Raich, the lawyer for
the marijuana club. "The important decisions in this case will be made later."

Hallinan and other supporters hope the next president and Congress will
revise federal laws to allow marijuana to be used for medicinal purposes.

Supporters of medicinal marijuana say that among other things, it relieves
the effects of cancer and AIDS.