CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO MAY GET INTO MEDICAL POT BUSINESS

SAN FRANCISCO (CNN) -- With the federal government cracking down on medical
marijuana clubs, San Francisco is looking at entering the marijuana
distribution business.

"With 75 to 80 percent of the people in San Francisco saying it should be
available for medicinal purposes and with the district attorney having the
same attitude, the Board of Supervisors with the same attitude, I have the
same attitude, the Department of Health having the same attitude, there
ought to be some way this can be achieved," said San Francisco Mayor Willie
Brown.

California voters legalized the medical use of marijuana by approving
Proposition 215 in 1996. Users need a prescription from a doctor to treat
symptoms of AIDS, cancer and other serious diseases.

California Legalization Not Legal To U.S.

The clubs that sprang up after the law was approved have faced challenges in
state and federal courts. A federal judge shut down six northern California
medical marijuana clubs earlier this month.

The California law does not override the federal ban on marijuana, U.S.
District Judge Charles Breyer said.

However, San Francisco District Attorney Terrence Hallinan generally was
satisfied with the operation of the city's marijuana club. He said the
operation was more loosely managed than he would have liked, but it
cooperated with his office and the city's health department.

But with the federal government crackdown, city officials are looking for
loopholes in state and federal laws that would allow the city to distribute
marijuana, possibly through the health department.

But where would the city get the marijuana?

City Considering Producing, Distributing Pot

"Somewhere down the road, I think, the city is either going to have to
produce that crop or contract with somebody who will do it under proper and
secure circumstances," Hallinan said.

The federal judge's ruling is under appeal, so U.S. Attorney Michael
Yamaguchi declined to comment. Before the trial, however, he cast doubt on
any possibility of the city distributing pot.

"It has been suggested that local government might step in and distribute
marijuana if the clubs close down. Without prior approval from both the Food
and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration, such
distribution is illegal," Yamaguchi said.

But San Francisco officials believe their long experience with AIDS gives
them the right to send a message to the federal government about marijuana laws.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett