Sunday 15 November 2009 00.07 GMT America's first marijuana cafe has opened as a private club posing an early test of the Obama administration's move to relax policing of medical use of the drug.
The Cannabis Cafe in Portland, Oregon, is the first to give certified medical marijuana users a place to obtain the drug and smoke it, as long as they are out of public view, despite a federal ban.
The cafe was formerly a speakeasy and adult erotic club, Rumpspankers. Technically it is private, but is open to any Oregon members of Norml a group pushing for marijuana legalisation who hold a medical marijuana card. It has no drinks licence.
"This club represents personal freedom, finally, for our members," said Madeline Martinez, Oregon's executive director of Norml. Members pay $25 a month. They do not buy marijuana, but get it free over the counter from "budtenders".
There are about 21,000 patients registered to use marijuana for medical purposes in Oregon.
-------------------- It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. Posts: 3311 | From: St. Louis | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
It'll get shut down. To say you want a more relaxed policy is one thing, to let someone break the law and wave your own words in your face is another.
-------------------- No longer eligible for government service due to lack of tax issues. Posts: 5178 | From: Up North | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Portland is one of the coolest cities in the usa I have relatives that live there they are real Oregonians. They are financial wise very conservative but not so socially with there views on issues such as abortion,drugs.and civil rights.It is a great city to have fun in with some of the best food I have ever ate. So onward Portland looks like you will lead the pack
-------------------- Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise. Posts: 3827 | From: beautiful California | Registered: Sep 2008
| IP: Logged |