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| The Chill Factor |
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Posted by FoM on June 13, 2001 at 13:32:22 PT By Steve Robles Source: San Francisco Bay Guardian 
Although last month's Supreme Court ruling against the Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative was relatively narrow in scope, the threat of more crackdowns has driven some northern California medical marijuana providers to scale back their operations, and at least one club has closed. Just days after the ruling, which upheld a federal injunction against the Oakland club's distribution of marijuana, came down May 14, the Howard Street Harm Reduction Center closed its doors permanently. And at one of San Francisco's most established providers of medical cannabis, Californians Helping Alleviate Medical Problems, all but one of the dispensary's board of directors resigned on the advice of the club's attorney. Further, CHAMP has placed what it calls a "temporary and indefinite" cap on new membership requests. "We will continue to offer our services to the community," CHAMP's voice mail greeting proclaims, "but sadly, we are unable to take new members until further notice." Nobody at either the now-defunct HSHRC or CHAMP would return the Bay Guardian's phone calls. In fact, none of the major medical marijuana dispensaries in San Francisco seemed to want to discuss the state of their operations with us. A spokesperson at one provider, who declined to be identified, stated that the club had been instructed by its attorneys not to speak to the media. "It's terrible," San Francisco district attorney Terence Hallinan, who has supported the local dispensaries, told us. "There are about 2,000 people who could be affected by these two clubs' interruption in service, and I don't want to see these sick patients having to go to Dolores Park or wherever to try to get their medicine." Hallinan said that he believes the clubs' actions have been "a bit premature" but that he understands the gravity of their decisions and is concerned about a domino effect. "The ruling is absolutely having a chilling effect," he said. "Look, people aren't very excited about facing the prospect of mandatory minimum jail sentences here," Hallinan said. Still, some legal observers say it's highly unlikely, with the OCBC case still waiting to be remanded to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals 30 days after the date of the ruling (in accordance to Supreme Court practice), that any further injunctions would come down soon, if at all. "It's paranoia, plain and simple," the club staffer told us. "This ruling has nothing to do with Prop. 215 or the issue of medical marijuana at large. It's important that we, as providers, remember that." Note: Court ruling causes cutbacks at local pot clubs. Related Articles & Web Sites: OCBC Versus The U.S. Government News Medicinal Cannabis Research Links The Hempire Strikes Back Capitol Hill's Cannabis Catch-Up? Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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