​“Our community would do well to prepare itself, to brace for impact”

~ Rachel Kurtz

Cannabis Defense Coalition

In the wake of threats this month from two federal prosecutors in Washington state, medical cannabis activists are staging raid preparedness trainings in cities across the state. The move comes as Governor Chris Gregoire contemplates the fate of a bill to license cannabis providers and create a state registry of medical marijuana patients.

“The medical cannabis bill is a ghost of its former self, and could get dramatically worse if the governor exercises her sectional veto power,” said Rachel Kurtz of Seattle-based patient advocacy group the Cannabis Defense Coalition

​”Our community would do well to prepare itself, to brace for impact,” Kurtz said.

Events are planned this week for Seattle, Spokane and Ellensburg.

Traveling from Washington, D.C., to lead the training sessions will be Steph Sherer, executive director of Americans for Safe Access, a national medical cannabis advocacy group.

ASA was founded 10 years ago in response to federal raids on cannabis providers in California.

“Patients are sick and tired of being marginalized and living in fear of the federal government,” Sherer said. “It’s time to push politics aside, recognize the plight of patients across the country, and properly address medical marijuana as the public health issue that it is.”

Event organizers warned that, whether or not the legislation becomes law in Washington, medical cannabis patients and providers will likely see an increase in raids by federal and local law enforcement throughout the state.

​ Raid Training Schedule





Seattle

Wednesday, April 27, 7-10 p.m.

Cannabis Resource Center

1714 1st Ave. S.

Spokane

Thursday, April 28, 1-4 p.m.

Downtown Spokane Library

906 W. Main Ave.

Ellensburg

Friday, April 29, 1-4 p.m.

Black Hall Room 151

Central Washington University campus