NORML-Affiliated Cannabis Cafe Opens in Oregon

Portland, Ore.’s new Cannabis Cafe serves food and medical marijuana to members of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) who hold state-issued medical-marijuana cards.

Reuters reported Nov. 14 that members pay a $25 monthly fee to use the cafe, which charges for food but not marijuana, which is served for no charge by so-called “budtenders.”

“This club represents personal freedom, finally, for our members,” said Madeline Martinez, executive director of NORML’s Oregon chapter. “Our plans go beyond serving food and marijuana. 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 is seen as testing the limits of the Obama administration’s more “hands-off” policy on medical-marijuana law enforcement. It is thought to be the closest thing to a Dutch-style cannabis cafe in the U.S.