FEDS SEEK TO CLOSE 3 POT CLUBS

Oakland adopts lenient marijuana policy

OAKLAND -- The same day local officials approved the state's most lenient
policy on medical marijuana, the Clinton administration stepped up efforts
to close the Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative and two other clubs.

Federal officials filed a motion Tuesday with U.S. District Court Judge
Charles Breyer asking that the U.S. marshal be authorized to immediately
shut down medicinal cannabis clubs in Oakland and in Marin and Mendocino
counties.

Operators of the Oakland club, which has 1,750 members, said Wednesday they
will continue to operate until forced to close.

The government also filed motions ordering the clubs to show cause why they
should not be held in contempt of a preliminary injunction ordering them to
cease operations. Hearings on the contempt motions will be held Aug. 14,
said attorney Robert Raich, representing the Oakland club.

"This Is being driven by a bunch of bureaucrats in Washington," Raich said.

"They don't have to deal with the fallout of their actions. These are
seriously ill people we're talking about . .. not hippies who want to get
stoned."

Late Tuesday, the Oakland City Council quietly endorsed a policy. included
among a batch of committee reports, allowing medical marijuana users to
have 1 1/2 pounds of cannabis, described as a three-month supply.

That breaks down to about a half-pound per month, or 10 marijuana
cigarettes per day, for patients who use cannabis as a way to combat nausea
from such illnesses as AIDS and cancer.

Developed by a committee of police. city legal staff, physicians, patients
and Oakland cannabis club representatives. the policy directs officers not
to confiscate marijuana, or arrest a user, if it meets the criteria.

Oakland patients who present the proper documentation will be able to
possess 30 outdoor flowering (or harvestable) plants, 48 indoor plants or
1BD pounds of processed marijuana.

"This takes cooperation between Oakland patients and enforcement to a new
level," said Jeff Jones, the Oaklaffd club's executive director. "I hope
this kind of partnership will eventually be mirrored across California and
country."

The policy is the most permissive in the state since Prop. 215, the medical
marijuana initiative approved by voters in 1996, was implemented.

By contrast, Attorney General Dan Lungren's office has issue guidelines
that allow only ounce, characterized as a 30-day supply.

The attorney general has criticized the Oakland policy. but a spokesman
said Wednesday no action has been planned.

The attorney general will wait until Oakland actually carry out its policy.
said Matt Ross, a Lungreri spokesman.

Although cannabis club supporters say the quantities outlined in the policy
are based on ongoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration tests of medical
marijuana, FDA officials say they know of no such tests.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski