Magical Mystery Tour: First Pot Cafe in the US opens in Portland

Bman · 11-15-2009, 11:22 PM

Roadtrip to Mystery's house!!!!

First U.S. marijuana cafe opens in Portland

Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:36am EST
By Dan Cook

PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - The United States' first marijuana cafe opened on Friday, 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 get hold of the drug and smoke it -- as long as they are out of public view -- despite a federal ban.

"This club represents personal freedom, finally, for our members," said Madeline Martinez, Oregon's executive director of NORML, a group pushing for marijuana legalization.

"Our plans go beyond serving food and marijuana," said Martinez. "We hope to have classes, seminars, even a Cannabis Community College, based here to help people learn about growing and other uses for cannabis."

The cafe -- in a two-story building which formerly housed a speak-easy and adult erotic club Rumpspankers -- is technically a private club, but is open to any Oregon residents who are NORML members and hold an official medical marijuana card.

Members pay $25 per month to use the 100-person capacity cafe. They don't buy marijuana, but get it free over the counter from "budtenders". Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., it serves food but has no liquor license.

There are about 21,000 patients registered to use marijuana for medical purposes in Oregon. Doctors have prescribed marijuana for a host of illnesses, including Alzheimer's, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and Tourette's syndrome.

On opening day, reporters invited to the cafe could smell, but were not allowed to see, people smoking marijuana.

"I still run a coffee shop and events venue, just like I did before we converted it to the Cannabis Cafe, but now it will be cannabis-themed," said Eric Solomon, the owner of the cafe, who is looking forward to holding marijuana-themed weddings, film festivals and dances in the second-floor ballroom.

NO PROSECUTION

The creation of the cafe comes almost a month after the Obama administration told federal attorneys not to prosecute patients who use marijuana for medical reasons or dispensaries in states which have legalized them.

About a dozen states, including Oregon, followed California's 1996 move to adopt medical marijuana laws, allowing the drug to be cultivated and sold for medical use. A similar number have pending legislation or ballot measures planned.

Pot cafes, known as "coffee shops", are popular in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, where possession of small amounts of marijuana is legal. Portland's Cannabis Cafe is the first of its kind to open in the United States, according to NORML.

Growing, possessing, distributing and smoking marijuana are still illegal under U.S. federal law, which makes no distinction between medical and recreational use.

Federal and local law enforcement agencies did not return phone calls from Reuters on Friday seeking comment on the Portland cafe's operations.

"To have a place that is this open about its activities, where people can come together and smoke -- I say that's pretty amazing." said Tim Pate, a longtime NORML member, at the cafe.

Some locals are hoping it might even be good for business.

"I know some neighbors are pretty negative about this place opening up," said David Bell, who works at a boutique that shares space with the cafe. "But I'm withholding judgment. There's no precedent for it. We don't know what to expect. But it would great if it brought some customers into our store."

(Writing by Bill Rigby; editing by Mohammad Zargham)

http://www.reuters.com/article/domes...e=domesticNews

BleedingHeadKen · 11-16-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bman

"I know some neighbors are pretty negative about this place opening up," said David Bell, who works at a boutique that shares space with the cafe. "But I'm withholding judgment. There's no precedent for it. We don't know what to expect. But it would great if it brought some customers into our store."

Time to open a bakery next door...

Fat Tone · 11-16-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedingHeadKen

Time to open a bakery next door...

capitalism at it's finest !

Bman · 11-16-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedingHeadKen

Time to open a bakery next door...

hahha..

and a law office

thejesus · 11-16-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bman

hahha..

and a law office

There's an idea! Although I'm not licensed in Oregon. Perhaps I'll look into it.

Mystery · 11-16-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bman

Roadtrip to Mystery's house!!!!

OMG I so need to find out where this is! I wonder if its near VooDoo Donuts.

Mystery · 11-16-2009, 03:35 PM

700 NE Dekum St, Portland

Nowhere near VooDoo Donuts - wrong side of the rivers. But that's OK - y'all let me know when you'll be arriving!

Bman · 11-16-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystery

700 NE Dekum St, Portland

Nowhere near VooDoo Donuts - wrong side of the rivers. But that's OK - y'all let me know when you'll be arriving!

Scope it out first for us

BleedingHeadKen · 11-18-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystery

700 NE Dekum St, Portland

Nowhere near VooDoo Donuts - wrong side of the rivers. But that's OK - y'all let me know when you'll be arriving!

I've been thinking about doing my Iron Butt ride to Portland. The problem is that as soon as we arrive, we have to turn back around and leave. Or maybe that's a plus?

11-15-2009, 11:22 PM	#1
Bman The Professor Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 50,326	Magical Mystery Tour: First Pot Cafe in the US opens in Portland Roadtrip to Mystery's house!!!! First U.S. marijuana cafe opens in Portland Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:36am EST By Dan Cook PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - The United States' first marijuana cafe opened on Friday, 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 get hold of the drug and smoke it -- as long as they are out of public view -- despite a federal ban. "This club represents personal freedom, finally, for our members," said Madeline Martinez, Oregon's executive director of NORML, a group pushing for marijuana legalization. "Our plans go beyond serving food and marijuana," said Martinez. "We hope to have classes, seminars, even a Cannabis Community College, based here to help people learn about growing and other uses for cannabis." The cafe -- in a two-story building which formerly housed a speak-easy and adult erotic club Rumpspankers -- is technically a private club, but is open to any Oregon residents who are NORML members and hold an official medical marijuana card. Members pay $25 per month to use the 100-person capacity cafe. They don't buy marijuana, but get it free over the counter from "budtenders". Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., it serves food but has no liquor license. There are about 21,000 patients registered to use marijuana for medical purposes in Oregon. Doctors have prescribed marijuana for a host of illnesses, including Alzheimer's, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and Tourette's syndrome. On opening day, reporters invited to the cafe could smell, but were not allowed to see, people smoking marijuana. "I still run a coffee shop and events venue, just like I did before we converted it to the Cannabis Cafe, but now it will be cannabis-themed," said Eric Solomon, the owner of the cafe, who is looking forward to holding marijuana-themed weddings, film festivals and dances in the second-floor ballroom. NO PROSECUTION The creation of the cafe comes almost a month after the Obama administration told federal attorneys not to prosecute patients who use marijuana for medical reasons or dispensaries in states which have legalized them. About a dozen states, including Oregon, followed California's 1996 move to adopt medical marijuana laws, allowing the drug to be cultivated and sold for medical use. A similar number have pending legislation or ballot measures planned. Pot cafes, known as "coffee shops", are popular in the Dutch city of Amsterdam, where possession of small amounts of marijuana is legal. Portland's Cannabis Cafe is the first of its kind to open in the United States, according to NORML. Growing, possessing, distributing and smoking marijuana are still illegal under U.S. federal law, which makes no distinction between medical and recreational use. Federal and local law enforcement agencies did not return phone calls from Reuters on Friday seeking comment on the Portland cafe's operations. "To have a place that is this open about its activities, where people can come together and smoke -- I say that's pretty amazing." said Tim Pate, a longtime NORML member, at the cafe. Some locals are hoping it might even be good for business. "I know some neighbors are pretty negative about this place opening up," said David Bell, who works at a boutique that shares space with the cafe. "But I'm withholding judgment. There's no precedent for it. We don't know what to expect. But it would great if it brought some customers into our store." (Writing by Bill Rigby; editing by Mohammad Zargham) http://www.reuters.com/article/domes...e=domesticNews __________________ Of course, none of these extraordinary events would ever have happened if not for Bush and he retires with the most astounding successes achieved by any president in recent memory. -- Mars S, January 2009

11-16-2009, 03:35 PM	#7
Mystery Feline, by Fendi Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lifting shadows off a dream Posts: 11,517	Re: Magical Mystery Tour: First Pot Cafe in the US opens in Portland 700 NE Dekum St, Portland Nowhere near VooDoo Donuts - wrong side of the rivers. But that's OK - y'all let me know when you'll be arriving! __________________ . ~ it seems to cross the boundaries between reality and fantasy, conscienceness and delirium, physical and metaphysical ~~ dr madness, philosopher ~ be strong ~ not only will everything be ok, it will be better ~ then it will get better yet ~ and then better still... ~~ dr madness, philosopher ~ everything you said makes sense to me ~~ dr madness, philosopher ~ wtf, have you been doing research or something? ~~ dr madness, philosopher

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