MEDICINAL MARIJUANA CLUB OPENS, CLOSES

Activist To Meet With Santa Clara Officials

In a cramped, windowless office in Santa Clara on Friday, Jim Lohse handed
out marijuana to the few patients who trickled in. But the quickly
established pot club was short-lived once he spoke to Santa Clara police.

Lohse agreed to stop distributing marijuana until he meets with the city's
police chief and planners early next week to work out the details of his
newly opened -- and small -- operation on Stevens Creek Boulevard.

Lohse intended to use the 125-square-foot office to register patients and
verify that they qualify for medicinal marijuana, which he distributes as a
caregiver to about 15 to 20 patients a month.

Then he learned that Santa Clara, as many other cities have done, was
considering a moratorium on pot clubs. So as an activist who runs a
medicinal marijuana advocacy Web site (www.area420.com), he decided to test
the limits.

"We're just pushing the issue," said Lohse, 37. "We're tired of waiting for
someone else to open a dispensary."

Police Chief Stephen Lodge confirmed he spoke to Lohse. "It's not in his
best interests or that of his clients to be involved in the possession or
distribution of marijuana until his status is verified," said Lodge, adding
that Lohse must have the proper permits and a license before opening any
kind of business. "That's not to say the city is going to approve that type
of business."

California voters approved a medicinal marijuana law, Proposition 215, in 1996.

While Santa Clara has no moratorium on pot clubs, Lodge said the city is
considering it. "The state was charged with coming up with guidelines when
the proposition passed and it still hasn't," Lodge said.

Friday, however, Christine Flora, 40, of San Jose got her 3.5 grams of
marijuana in Santa Clara. She was one of three patients that afternoon who
received marijuana from Lohse.

Lohse, meanwhile, said he hopes to be part of the city's planning in
shaping any regulations.