Uruguay group registers to be first pot club

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – A group has taken steps to become the first officially recognized marijuana-growing club in Uruguay, where lawmakers have made their country the world’s first national marketplace for legal pot.

The Association of Cannabis Studies of Uruguay began the process by registering with the Education and Culture Ministry, Drug Control Chief Julio Calzada said Tuesday.

The club will have 40 members and will be headed by Laura Blanco. She told the Uruguayan newspaper El Pais that members will pay $300 each to join, and a monthly fee of up to $65. Some of the members will use the marijuana to treat medical conditions.

Joining a growing club is one of three legal ways to obtain pot under the law.

Albania moves forward toward EU membership

TIRANA, Albania – Albania cleared the first hurdle on its long path to European Union membership Tuesday, with the EU granting candidate status on the country’s fourth try. Albania has failed to win the coveted status three times since 2009.

Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said the decision by the 28-nation bloc’s foreign ministers represented an “acknowledgement of reform efforts” by Albania.

The decision is subject to endorsement by the European Council on Friday.

Associated Press