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| Hempery Gets New Owner |
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Posted by FoM on May 03, 2001 at 07:18:50 PT By Jeff Chorney, Staff Writer Source: Oakland Tribune 
The owner of the Hayward Hempery and one of Alameda County's most well-known medical marijuana suppliers has left downtown for a quieter life two hours north of San Francisco. Bob Wilson, who has run a hemp business in the downtown area for nearly a decade, leaves a legacy of about 1,000 medical marijuana patients he said he's helped over the years. On Monday, Wilson announced that he sold the Hempery. The new owner, Cheryl Adams of San Leandro, took over April 20. "I just have way too many things to do," Wilson said. "I'm going to see if I can be a country gentleman." He's moving to Clearlake, where he plans to open a bed and breakfast. He will be just a short drive away from the marijuana farm run by Californians for Compassionate Use. The farm is affiliated with Dennis Peron, who wrote Prop. 215. That law legalized marijuana for medicinal use in California but its vagueness has left users and cops confused. Parts of the proposition still are being worked out in a variety of state and federal court cases. Wilson's tenure in Hayward has not been without controversy. Last year, police raided the Hempery, 22580 Foothill Blvd., and found a marijuana-growing operation inside the building at the corner of Foothill and B Street. Although police said the grow overstepped the bounds of Prop. 215, Wilson still has not been charged with a crime. The District Attorney's Office did not return phone calls Monday. Previously, a prosecutor said he was still reviewing patient files seized in the February 2000 raid. Before that, the Hempery was held up by armed gunmen. Police also linked one of those robberies to a home invasion in the Hayward hills; the invader was shot to death by someone he attacked. Through it all, people in southern Alameda County have sung Wilson's praises. Patient after patient said he is exactly the sort of caring person needed to help sick people legally use cannabis. Wilson always drew a distinction between the Hempery and his patient collective, and new owner Adams said she'll do the same. The Hempery sold hemp clothing and other products. Adams is considering changing the name and wants to add herbs, oils, natural remedies and other health products to store shelves. But, she said, she plans to visit city officials to try to work out a plan that will let her provide people with medicinal marijuana without police interference. "I'm hoping that everything will be different," the 28-year-old Adams said. "I want to raise public awareness." Like Wilson, Adams uses marijuana herself. She said it helps her migraines and arthritis and also encourages the appetite she has lost since having her stomach stapled. Adams was born in Castro Valley and grew up in Hayward before moving to San Leandro. She has two children. Her partner, the man who helped her buy the business, has cancer and also uses cannabis. "Part of the reason Bob had problems with the city" is because the store doesn't look very nice, Adams said. "It's not going to be an eyesore, as some people have called it." She has a lot of work ahead. Although it was a popular hangout, the store smells musty and is run down inside. It has holes in its ceiling and mismatched flooring, among other problems. Adams, a first-time business owner, said she will stay open through the renovations. She is upbeat and excited about her store's "perfect" location. So what about an agreement with the city to keep providing marijuana? "We're always agreeable to discussing issues with members of the community, especially business owners," said Hayward police Lt. Rick Parker. He did not want to be more specific. Author: Jeff Chorney, Staff Writer Related Article & Web Sites: The Hayward Hempery Marijuana.org Raid Yields Pot Farm at the Hayward Hempery CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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