Updated: Feds Raiding Med-Pot Dispensaries in Spokane

[This post, originally published at 3:50 p.m, now contains information about three more dispensaries reportedly being raided.]

Lacking protection under state law, medical-marijuana dispensaries in Spokane were raided today at 2:00 p.m. by federal agents, reports the Cannabis Defense Coalition. The group was conducting a raid-preparedness training when the raid began; the activists left to rally outside the dispensary. Thus far, raids have been confirmed at THC Pharmacy and Compassion Club, and they have been reported at Treehouse and Evergreen. Updates are being posted to Twitter here.

Federal prosecutors made clear in 2009 that they won't target medical marijuana outlets in compliance with state law, and a bill on Governor Chris Gregoire's desk would license dispensaries like THC Pharmacy to give them the state's legal shelter. But Gregoire has announced she intends to veto that portion of the law—despite the legal advice of local experts—which exposes all the dispensary operators in Washington state to armed raids and prosecution.

Of course, governors in other states have approved medical pot laws that allow dispensaries without any ramification. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, before signing a similar bill, said, "So what if it's risky? It's the right thing to do."

For all practical purposes, these raids are Governor Chris Gregoire's raids on the sick and their caretakers. She has the power to stop them by signing that bill, after all, so her inaction is allowing the raids to begin.