Pubdate: Tue, 01 Jan 2013
Source: Daily Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2013 Associated Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/108
Note: by an Associated Press Reporter

WELCOME TO CLUB 64: RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA CLUBS OPEN IN COLORADO
WHERE ENTRY FEE IS $29.99 (BUT YOU HAVE TO BRING YOUR OWN POT)

Recreational marijuana clubs opened Monday in Colorado, less than a
month after the state governor signed into law a constitutional
amendment allowing recreational pot use.

With a reggae soundtrack and flashing disco-style lights, Club 64 in
an industrial area just north of downtown Denver opened Monday
afternoon, with some 200 people signed up.

The opening came less than 24 hours after club organizers announced
they would charge a $29.99 admission price for the bring-your-own pot
club.

Two Colorado clubs were believed to be the first legal pot dens in the
nation.

New Club 64 members were firing up bongs and exchanging hugs before
the sun set Monday, and they also planned to ring in the new year together.

'Look at this!' an excited Chloe Villano exclaimed as the club she
created over the weekend opened. 'We were so scared because we didn't
want it to be crazy. But this is crazy! People want this.'

Colorado's marijuana amendment prohibits public consumption, and
smoke-free laws also appear to ban indoor smokeouts. But Club 64
attorney Robert Corry, who cut a ribbon at 4:20 p.m. for the new club,
said private pot dens are permissible because marijuana isn't sold,
nor is it food or drink.

Villano, the club owner, said the pot club would meet monthly at
different locations, with the $29.99 membership fee good for only one
event.

On Monday, the pot club was meeting in a hemp-based clothing store
near downtown. Hooded sweatshirts and backpacks were shoved to a
corner. In the main area, a few small tables sat next to a screen
showing 'The Big Lebowski.'

A bar decorated with blue Christmas lights handed out sodas and Club
64's official snacks - Goldfish and Cheetos. The snacks were inspired
by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, who warned marijuana users the
night of the marijuana vote, 'don't break out the Cheetos or Goldfish
too quickly.' Club 64 gets its name from the number of the amendment.

The Denver Post reported that a similar pot club opened earlier Monday
in the small southern Colorado town of Del Norte.

Corry said the pot clubs are intended for people who can't use
marijuana at home because of local ordinance or because their
landlords threaten eviction.

'It's just a place for adults to exercise their constitutional rights
together,' Corry said. 'We're not selling pot here.'

Among the new Club 64 members planning to ring in the New Year was Joe
Valenciano of Denver. He heard about Club 64 yesterday and signed up
immediately.

'We need more clubs like this,' Valenciano said.

An hour after opening, no police were seen outside Club 64. Villano
said the club wanted to open symbolically at 4:20 p.m., but that the
party wouldn't get going until about 9 p.m., when DJs were scheduled
to start as members prepared for pot-filled countdown to burn in the
New Year. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D