Breaking News: Ongoing Raids at Medical Marijuana Businesses in Spokane, Washington

(3:27pm PDT)- Just moments ago Kevin Oliver called into the webcast of NORML SHOW LIVE with breaking news about ongoing raids at medical marijuana businesses in and around Spokane, Washington. 

Kevin Oliver of Washington NORML, Steph Sherer of Americans for Safe Access, and members of Cannabis Defense Coalition were conducting a meeting concerning “raid training” for medical marijuana dispensary owners and employees when they learned that raids were occurring at up to four locations.

Loading into four separate vehicles, those in attendance drove to the nearest location of the reported raids. When they arrived at THC Pharmacy, Kevin Oliver reported seeing one police cruiser, several officers wearing vests, a few media crew, and a score of onlookers.

Immediately upon arrival, Kevin asked a uniform police officer, “What’s going on here?” To which the officer replied, “I don’t know.”

Tune in to NORML SHOW LIVE at live.norml.org for breaking news and ongoing coverage of this event!


UPDATE: Locations being raided reported to include: THC Pharmacy, Club Compassion, Evergreen Medical Inc., Medical Herb Providers and Human Connection.
Click here to view a google map created by "Radical" Russ Belville to track the locations of these raids in Spokane.

Feds Send Warning to Colorado Lawmakers

The top federal prosecutor in Colorado sent a letter Tuesday to Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and some other lawmakers. The letter states that the federal illegality of marijuana should be recognized as barring states from passing legislation authorizing and legitimizing medical marijuana businesses. Currently, a bill limiting marijuana dispensaries awaits Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

Find out more at 'Businessweek'
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Here we have another story where a push is being made to limit medical marijuana dispensaries in yet another state. These medical marijuana laws, in the states that have them, were passed largely by the people. The people of these communities recognized that we, as a free society, do not have the right to stand between patients and safe access to their medicine. Bills that seek to limit marijuana dispensaries also limit access to patients who are all too often unable to routinely drive long distances to retrieve their medication.

Montana Governor to Decide “Grow Your Own” Bill

A bill that will come before the Governor of Montana this week includes legislation that would allow qualified patients to grow their own marijuana at home. Senate Bill 423, now on its way to the governor’s desk, is an attempt to remove the storefronts and the profit from medical marijuana in Montana.

Read more on KFBB Local News

Indiana Woman, 53, Shot to Death Trying to Buy Marijuana

From Chicago Tribune:

GARY, Ind.- Gary police say a man fatally shot a woman who was making a marijuana purchase for him outside her home.

The sergeant says Coleman and the man sat in the car briefly but then began arguing. Pawlak says she got out of the car and started running when the man shot her.

More from 'Chicago Tribune'
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For patients trying to procure marijuana on the black market, this is their greatest fear. Why then would we disallow them the opportunity of getting their medicine from safe, regulated, law-abiding dispensaries rather than leaving them the only option of turning to the many unsavory, cut-throat dealers operating in the black market? -PH