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

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

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The hippest joint in town, Rumpspankers, is Oregon NORML's Cannabis Café set to kick off next Friday (the 13th) 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, Mikki Norris 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," Mikki 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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Frankie Lynn Mardock December 13, 2009 1:30 am (Pacific time)

Hello, loved the story.. and as i am probably one of the most recent guest's of the cafe.. it is awesome.. well worth the entrance fees... nice plays to hang with nice people.. thanks guys..for ur efforts!!

Way to Go ..again :-/ November 23, 2009 2:33 pm (Pacific time)

Hey folks, i must of had a senior moment, it was 2001-2 when Voter Power had a place helping omma patients. Sorry about that Salem-news..btw..you folks do a wonderful job!

Way to Go Norml Cafe November 22, 2009 8:54 pm (Pacific time)

Good going on the cafe*keep fighting the good fight*. Back in the 90's an organization called Voter Power had something like this going on (in Portland), since it wasnt Norml run, no norml fees, not that norml fees are bad, you had to be an Omma patient and they checked records and kept up with that. There were some small fees, but not bad and had super nice people donating their time. They had eatables, vap's and green medication,the place was plesant and not a clique, they helped all omma patients.I met many folks who are now deceased...so just wanted VP to know that WE REMEMBER YOU FOLKS FONDLY! Best Wishes on Normls Cafe as well !!! Medical Cannibis is so much safer than pain medication. So Hoooray for all organizations that try to put this out there. Thank You!

jeffzilla November 14, 2009 1:15 pm (Pacific time)

i love potland ! thank you obama

me November 13, 2009 9:46 am (Pacific time)

that is crappy oregon rules

Jangles November 13, 2009 9:45 am (Pacific time)

Today's the day! See you at 4:20, i can't wait!

Anna Diaz November 7, 2009 9:13 am (Pacific time)

The woman who spoke at Hempstalk was Mikki Norris. You can find out about her campaign to come our of the closet at www.cannabisconsumers.org.

Thanks for your support of the cafe! Anna at Oregon NORML

EDITOR: Thanks Anna! Sorry for the typo

Osotan; November 6, 2009 4:08 am (Pacific time)

4:20 is the traditional "light up" time celebrated by smokers nationwide.,I believe the custom originated on a college campus in Colorado over a legislative bill of the same number passed to decriminilize posession of certain amounts but I'm not 100% on that. So,"to be or not to be",not a question but a statement, I quote the Sinatra doctrine.,"doobie, doobie, do!"

Jason November 5, 2009 10:13 pm (Pacific time)

This is a huge step forward for medical marijuana advocacy, and an even bigger step for thee advancement of human rights! Go Oregon!

rodger November 5, 2009 12:21 pm (Pacific time)

but what's the deal with naming it the 420(!) HIGHway? 420 is a term used by people who are not smoking it because they have cancer or whatnot. and even if the high is not intentional it doesn't sound too legitimate.

Wize1 November 5, 2009 12:13 pm (Pacific time)

The demand for imported cannabis is already falling due to the relatively recent and sparse changes in US law. We can seriously hurt organized crime in drug producing countries with simple MJ legalization because the cartels still get 60% of their income from pot, not meth or opium or cocaine.

rodger November 5, 2009 12:21 pm (Pacific time)

Richard Steeb November 5, 2009 7:48 am (Pacific time)

It just seems more than a little bit bizarre that one needs a qualifying disease to enjoy cannabis with impunity... eh?

Cindy Lou November 5, 2009 12:16 am (Pacific time)

My apologies, I misread the comment from Amanda, and overreacted. I see now the intention of what she said, sorry Amanda, didn't mean to get off track. Congratulations to Oregon for making this happen, I hope you all get to go, for the rest of us!

jjnosmoke November 4, 2009 11:49 am (Pacific time)

Amanda wasn't discriminating, but offended. Sorry Amanda for being flip regarding the suffering of others. I'm a disabled pentagenarian who just needs a little help with chronic moderate pain from 3 spinal injuries and mild depression. Not a cancer patient fighting for my life, nor some lazy twenty-something skaterboy with my pants nearly falling off. I've friends in MT with green cards and yes, they're feeling better, functioning better, AND having fun. I was just whining about being stuck in the most conservative state in the northwest. I'm proud of the compassion that I see in the western states that indicates a certain spirituality.. JJ

Amanda November 4, 2009 8:47 pm (Pacific time)

Cindy Lou, I was referring only to those who have no medical needs for marijuana.Read it again, I was not discriminating against those who are in need for medical conditions.

stephen November 4, 2009 6:35 pm (Pacific time)

A small step forward, but until the masses actually do their research, and learn, that FDA approved drugs are more dangerous than marijuana, and stand up to the federal government with which they learn, the steps will continue to be very small. The federal government makes very much money by keeping drugs illegal, they dont want any competition.

Brady November 4, 2009 12:20 pm (Pacific time)

I only hope the rest of the world is paying attention!!!

d-bo November 4, 2009 7:44 am (Pacific time)

wooooo!!! smoke some =)

Winder November 4, 2009 2:57 am (Pacific time)

Wow, that's really amazing, cutting-edge progress. I wish such common-sense approaches could be implemented elsewhere, but it's certainly a good start! Thank you Madeline, for all you do; you're true visionary, and a fantastic role model for ladies everywhere.

Osotan; November 4, 2009 2:17 am (Pacific time)

the name "Rumpspankers" is my only critique,but know little."Hempstalkers"?.,"The Twist"?.,"Reefer Madness"?.,"Captain Zig Zag's"?.,"Spliffmon's"? all cross my mind. Good for the people as far as I can tell. Keep on going!

Sandra November 4, 2009 1:24 am (Pacific time)

I think this is a great step forward for medical Marijuana patients, I am a medicinal MJ patient in waiting. Cindy I don't think Amanda was being discrimitory at all.. I think her coments were referring to the comment made just before her post by jjnosmoke.

Sandra November 4, 2009 1:23 am (Pacific time)

Cindy Lou November 3, 2009 8:56 pm (Pacific time)

Amanda, you're discriminating. If you knew what it was like to be sick, and not be able to see your friends unless they came to your house because its the only place you can legally use your medicine, you might understand. There's no way I can explain how important it is to feel like you can do things. This place has the right idea to bring us together, so we can have fuller lives. Fun? Yes, I sure hope so, but you have the wrong idea. Enlighten yourself please. Now, off to the bar with you, don't you need something on the rocks?

Amanda November 3, 2009 5:53 pm (Pacific time)

We are talking here about Marijuana patients, that means medical needs. Not Pot smokers who are lulling their senses for fun.

jjnosmoke November 3, 2009 2:19 pm (Pacific time)

Try this in Idaho and you'd wind up with a service revolver jammed in your temple and a dislocated shoulder. Your TV mugshot would show a battered face, like most of them seem to be. Not a good venue for personal liberties here in Aryian Idaho due to a terrible compassion deficit. I'm only jealous because I'm stuck here and everyone else is having so much fun. Rock on, Oregon!

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

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