Wednesday, April 27

Lecture: Steph Sherer on raid preparedness

In 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder issued a memo ordering an end to federal raids of medical marijuana dispensaries. Despite that order, federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents have continued these operations, and they're not just in California anymore. Scores of dispensaries and homes were raided in Montana in March. U.S. Attorney Mike Ormsby sent threatening letters to Washington State property owners in early April.

The DEA, regional task forces, and local law enforcement agencies continue to raid medical cannabis patients and providers, even if their conduct is legal under state law. Medical cannabis dispensary operators and staff need to prepare themselves, both mentally and operationally, for a raid until federal law is harmonized with Washington law and state law is fully implemented. Preparing for a raid does not have to be an exercise in paranoia. In fact, knowing that you are as prepared as you can be may ease anxiety.

Steph Sherer, executive director of Americans for Safe Access, will join us for a talk about such preparedness.

(Cannabis Resource Center, 1714 First Ave S, cdc.coop/lecture, FREE, 7pm, open to the public)

I for one welcome the lack of sardonic condescension expressed in this article, a refreshing change from the normal tone of The Stranger. The CDC cannabis college and lectures are always interesting and informative. Thanks for bringing some positive attention to this topic.