POT DISTRIBUTORS STAY OPEN IN DEFIANCE OF COURT ORDER

Authorities mull options

It was business as usual Thursday at the Oaldand Cannabis Buyers
Cooperative, where people with multiple sclerosis, AIDS and other illnesses
bought small bags of marijuana, despite a court order prohibiting clubs
from distributing the drug.

"I smoke marihuana every day," said Yvonne Westbrook, 45, a Richmond
resident with multiple sclerosis, who moved around the club on a motorized
scooter. "It allows me to cut back on prescription drugs and reduce my pain."

In defying U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, the Oakland co-operative and
other medical marijuana clubs in the Bay Area risked forced closure by
growing plants under heat lamps and distributing the drug the day after a
preliminary in-junction was publicized.

Owners cite referendum

Club owners believe their actions are legal because Californians passed
Proposition 215 in 1996, allowing seriously ill patients to use marihuana
to ease the pain and side effects of debilitating diseases and their
treatment. But Breyer said federal drug laws that ban marijuana would
remain in effect.

U.S. Attorney Michael Yamaguchi said the government "intends to take action
and is considering all possible options," but he would not specify the next
move. "It's unacceptable to defy a court order," he added.

Westbrook said she will be sorry if the clubs are shut down, but she won't
stop using marihuana. "It's the easiest thing in the world to get," she
said, re-ferring to widespread street sales. "But in here, you know what
you're getting. Here you buy the best you can afford instead of taking your
chances."

Free 'care packages'

Several poor patients, including Rodney Wilson of Oak-land, received free
"care packages" of 1.5 grams of mari-juana.

"I'm on disability," said 51 -year-old Wilson, who has AIDS and lost 57
pounds before he began using marijuana. "I smoke it for relaxation and as
an appetite stimulant."

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski