Cannabis Cafe

First-Ever Cannabis Cafe to Open in Portland for Medical Marijuana Patients

Bonnie King Salem-News.com

Oregon NORML launches the new resource under the guidelines of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act.

Photo: Salem-News.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The hippest joint in town, Rumpspankers, is Oregon NORML's Cannabis Café set to kick off next Friday at exactly 4:20 p.m.

The special cafe for members only is an innovative gathering place for the medical cannabis community, brought to fruition by Oregon NORML, the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws.

Madeline Martinez, Executive Director of Oregon NORML, says this cafe will fill a void that so many patients feel in their lives. "Not only will these legal medical cannabis users be able to discuss and educate freely, but they get the social interaction that so many patients just don't have access to."

In September, Mickey Nolan said to HempStalk crowds that cannabis users need to "come out of the closet." This cafe looks to be a big step in that direction.

"Too many people don't feel that they can go public with their cannabis use, and that needs to stop. It is nothing to be ashamed of," Mickey said. That's particularly true in this case, as only legal use will be allowed, by registered patients.

Members must be registrants of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) and members of Oregon NORML to gain entrance to the café.

Additional membership fees will be charged to determine the level of access to the café. For the Grand Opening, the entry fee will be $25.00, which covers the first month of membership and an all-day entry pass.

Snacks and consignment items from cannabis-friendly vendors like Urbage Designs and Stoned Made will be available for purchase. After the grand opening, the cafe will have regular hours daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

A donation-based full range of medical cannabis will be available to sample free of charge to members. This will be the first café of its kind in Oregon and operates completely within the guidelines of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Act.

Martinez says, "The café provides a much-needed place to serve as a community center for OMMP registrants. Oregon NORML looks to provide educational classes and seminars at the café to help OMMP registrants navigate the medical cannabis program in the future."

Rumpspankers is located at 700 NE Dekum St, Portland, OR 97211. Contact Oregon NORML for more information on the message line 503-239-6110. Details and information will also be available at www.ornorml.org as they become available.

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