JUDGE HALTS CLOSURE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLUB UNTIL MONDAY

(10-16) 20:37 EDT SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A federal judge allowed an Oakland
medical marijuana club to remain open a few days longer than a Friday
deadline for its closure.

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said the 2,200-member Oakland Cannabis
Buyers' Cooperative could stay open until at least Monday. The time will
allow attorneys to seek an additional stay from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court
of Appeals so it can continue to operate.

The Justice Department has sued six Northern California clubs to enforce
federal laws against marijuana distribution. In May, Breyer prohibited them
from distributing marijuana while the lawsuit was pending. The judge ruled
Tuesday that the Oakland club violated the order and could have been closed
Friday.

The clubs sprang up around California after passage of a 1996 initiative
allowing seriously ill patients to grow and use marijuana for pain relief,
with a doctor's recommendation, without being prosecuted under state law.

But federal law says marijuana has no medical purpose and cannot be
administered safely under medical supervision.

Checked-by: Don Beck