Federal agents are raiding several medical marijuana dispensaries in Spokane, following a warning from the top federal prosecutor there that such operations are illegal.
At approximately 2 p.m. today federal law enforcement in Spokane, Washington began executing a raid against a medical cannabis provider, THC Pharmacy at 1108 S. Perry St.
The raids began Thursday afternoon just as about 30 medical marijuana activists were participating in a class on what to do in the event of a raid. One location is THC Pharmacy on 11th & Perry.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Rice tells Spokesman-Review that several dispensaries were raided, but he declined to provide further details. Rice’s boss, Mike Ormsby, warned in a letter to earlier this month that the approximately 40 dispensaries in the area are illegal and must shut down immediately to avoid prosecution.
The move comes after threats from the two U.S. Attorneys in Washington State and as Governor Gregoire considers the fate of a bill to license medical cannabis providers and create a state registry of medical cannabis patients.
Gov. Chris Gregoire recently announced that she will veto legislation to create a dispensary licensing scheme in the state.
Among the dispensaries being raided are THC Pharmacy, Club Compassion and the Evergreen medical marijuana dispensary.
The raids also coincided with a so-called “raid training” in Spokane presented by two activist groups. The training, planned for 1-4 p.m., excused early so that attendees could protest the raid.
A third and final raid training is scheduled for Friday, April 29 from 1-4 p.m. at Black Hall Room 151 on the Central Washington University campus in Ellensburg. A stakeholders meeting is planned from 10-4 Saturday at the Cannabis Resource Center in Seattle.
