CBS/AP/ January 1, 2013, 4:53 PM

First private marijuana clubs open in Colorado

DENVER With reggae music pumping in the background and flashing disco-style lights, members of the recreational pot club lit up in celebration of the new year — and a new place to smoke legally among friends.

Club 64, in an industrial area just north of downtown Denver, opened at 4:20 p.m. on Monday, with some 200 people signed up. The opening came less than 24 hours after organizers announced they would charge a $29.99 admission price for the bring-your-own pot club.

"Look at this!" 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."

The private pot dens popped up less than a month after Colorado's governor signed into law a constitutional amendment allowing recreational pot use. Club 64 gets its name from the number of the amendment.

Two Colorado clubs were believed to be the first legal pot dens in the nation. The Denver Post reported that a similar pot club opened earlier Monday in the small southern Colorado town of Del Norte. However that club was quickly shutdown by the landlord of the building it was in, reports the Post.

Colorado's marijuana amendment prohibits public consumption, and smoke-free laws also appear to ban indoor smokeouts. But Club 64 attorney Robert Corry 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."

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 a day ago and signed up immediately.

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

© 2013 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
23 Comments Add a Comment
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punkytee says:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/171/401/203/going-green-with-cannabis/ Cannabis helps in more way's than one.
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marijuana-tourism says:
A World Of Cannabis
God is perfect, Man is not.
Man made wiskey, God made pot.

After the historic passage of Wa I - 502 legalizing recreational Marijuana use, the Marijuana Dispensaries phones in Washington were flying off their hooks. Marijuana patients have concerns if the new law effects Medical Cannabis Patients in the state of Washington. The general public is full of questions too.

Everyone is anticipating the effects on the passage of Washington I-502. If you want to read the full 64 page Wa I502 Initiative you'll be able to understand that it's a very complicated set of rules and regulations that regulates recreational Marijuana use.

Legalization of Marijuana would have meant that it would not be classified as a drug or controlled substance, but rather returned to natural plant status, appreciated as the Creator's gift to us as a natural plant with hundreds of important uses and health benefits.

But then it's really all about money, isn't it? If you could buy Marijuana online or walk into the produce section at your local supermarket, the price would be on the same level as any other agricultural crop, maybe even lower. It's the prohibition of Marijuana that keeps the prices high.

Is Cannabis expensive now? Wait until the three tiered tax syste is created, where it would be taxed at 25% at production, distribution and point of sale levels. Washington state anticipates making millions from Cannabis. My personal predicition is that Recreational Marijuana will cost two to three times more than Medical Marijuana. Time will tell.

Washington state wants your Cannabis business!

http://www.marijuana-tourism-information.com/WaLaw.html
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nativecc says:
I would like to know what Constitutional Right they were exercising? Also, did any of them drive home after? Could they be pulled over for driving under the influence? Would the club be liable if they got into an accident while stoned?
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DeeperDish replies:
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The benefit of a constitutional amendment is that legislators cannot circumvent the Will of the people and the federal government cannot coerce Colorado to reinstall the criminal laws. Since there is both the federal constitution and the constitutions of every state, it is now a constitutional right of the citizens of Colorado.
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robert_holt says:
After smoking pot for a while I have come to two conclusions.
1. Smoking pot has no adverse affects and is a harmless drug.
2. The moon is trying to kill us!
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jamesellis2 says:
No Big deal. I'd rather see people get high than drunk. Maybe after time, when "getting high" is normalized, we'll ban alcohol bars. What are the statistics of pot smokers killing people on the road compared to alcohol DUI?
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magnumdr says:
What a freekin joke. Any wonder that our Government is so screwed up.
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ajk_cbsnews says:
Wonder if they all brought their guns?
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WhereisOT says:
Be jammin at the clubs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFRbZJXjWIA
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MIO42 says:
When it won't go away
It's legalized
The ultimate Soloution
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dman6015 says:
Hate to bum out the four people in the picture, but I hope your employers aren't Internet savvy. Colorado may have eased the law, but I'm sure your employers haven't. Oh, and it is still illegal at a Federal level, just not being enforced by the current Justice Department.
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robintoledo replies:
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Most companies don't care. In the past I've worked for two major insurance companies and they don't even drug test upon hiring. Peter B Lewis, former CEO of Progressive, was busted for pot and even supported legalization. Most police officers I've known would rather have a driver high on weed than drunk on booze...and lets not forget those nimrods that text while driving.
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