The 420 Minute: November 2, 2017

The 420 Minute: November 2, 2017

by Sarah Mulcahy

Alright, folks. Welcome to The 420 Minute, legalization news and strain reviews from Spokane, Washington (you know, the other side of the state!).

Over the last few months there have been a spate of violent crimes at local pot retailers and grow operations in the Spokane area. From simple theft to brutal murder, these crimes have rocked the cannabis community and left some of us wondering about the safety of our friends and loved ones working in the industry.

September

On September 2nd, local NBC affiliate KHQ reported on a recent theft of a tip bag from Mary Jane’s, a retail marijuana store in the northeast neighborhood of Hillyard in Spokane. The owner stated that one man came in, with no obvious intention of purchasing marijuana, and glanced into one of the tip bags on the counter on his way out. Then the man and an accomplice positioned their vehicle for a quick getaway. The second individual went into the pot store and walked out with the tip bag. A police report was filed and a $200 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest.

The individual walked out with the tip bag and ran to a waiting vehicle.

On September 10th, after being refused service for lack of identification, police say that Donavon Culps walked out of Lucid-Cheney and shot at an employee eating lunch in his car. Culps then forced his way into the vehicle and drove off with the employee. On the 12th, Smith’s car was found abandoned in Airway Heights and Culps was arrested on the 14th. The remains of the employee, Cameron Smith, were recovered near Four Lakes. Police believe Culp’s niece, Violetta Culps, was involved and she is still at large.

In the early morning hours of September 29th, two young adults and one minor engaged in what has been referred to as a ‘robbery spree’, hitting three major pot retailers in Spokane and Spokane Valley in quick succession. The first store hit was Cannabis & Glass on Trent followed by Sativa Sisters just down the road. Finally, officers caught up with the thieves at Cannabis & Glass on Francis. Two suspects were apprehended near the store and the third was located at a Taco Bell.

October

The most recent target of this pot business crime spree was the processor ODO, Inc. Located in the same building as Lucky Leaf retailer on 1st Avenue in downtown Spokane, a recent break-in by a vandal caused significant damage and may lead to attempted arson charges. On Saturday, October 21st, someone broke in seemingly just to cause significant property damage to the building and ODO. This included shutting off the water, disabling the elevator and attempting to start a fire.

A vandal broke into ODO oil processing plant and caused significant damage to the property.

With all this mayhem surrounding the legal weed industry in Spokane, is it just a matter of time before it implodes? Or can those of us with a vested interested in a positive outcome (and full federal legalization) stand together to protect this burgeoning industry and those brave enough to work in it? Support your local pot shops and budtenders, and remember to keep calm and smoke on.

That’s The 420 Minute. Join us later this week for a special 420 Minute first, a weed-ucational post All About Terpenes! Follow us on Instagram for epic bud shots @the420minute. For exclusive content and to support The 420 Minute, check us out on www.patreon.com/the420minute.