Washington lawmakers draft new plans to counter pot shop burglaries

WASHINGTON — Washington state lawmakers are drafting plans in the new year to support small businesses that are targeted by burglars using stolen vehicles to break into stores.

The nonprofit, Cannabis Alliance reports there has been an uptick in these crimes over the past three years, and they believe there are many that go unreported as impacted businesses try to move past it. They are working with lawmakers to try to protect these retailers that are facing thousands of dollars in damages and lost products.

The latest reported smash and grab happened along 15th Avenue Northeast, several blocks east of North City Park. Surveillance video shows burglars ramming a stolen white Kia into the front of the pot shop, the Kushery, early Tuesday in Lake Forest Park.

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Employee Jeremiah Bresler said he heard the crash and watched what happened next on the security cameras.

“It looked like they knew what they were doing. They hopped right over the cases and went to the ounces and got a bunch of disposable cartridges and stuff,” Bresler explained.

As of Wednesday evening, no arrests had been made in the case. Bresler wants help from the feds and the state to better protect all cannabis stores that remain a target as they rely on cash transactions.

“Seriously, let’s go cashless,” he explained. “It’s ridiculous at this point.”

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The Cannabis Alliance added that thieves don't realize many shops no longer keep much cash on site, but the criminals still leave behind a trail of destruction. The alliance is now working with Governor Inslee's office to get more support for cannabis stores in the coming budget.

Financial support for being able to put up bollards and things like that. That can happen immediately,” Cannabis Alliance Exec. Director Caitlein Ryan stated. “We’re working right now on a survey to try and capture some of the underreported data, so hopefully in concert with the Department of Commerce, looking at some more meaningful legislation in the 2025 session to help with more comprehensive ways to help people recover after they’ve been hit, as well as some grants to provide opportunities for people to put in things like breezeways, bollards, and armed guards.

State Sen. Karen Keiser last year proposed a bill to give excise tax credits to cannabis store owners and other retailers for security upgrades, but it died in committee because of the high price tag. This year, she's drafting a more targeted grant program for businesses to install safety bollards, among other things.

“That would include cannabis stores, convenience stores, those kinds of on the street- stores that have unfortunately been real targets,” Sen. Keiser stated.

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She said it's important for the state to support our retailers now because she's not confident the feds will push through legislation this year to give the cannabis sector access to regular banking services.

“In terms of what we can look forward to, I’m afraid, from Washington, D.C., I wouldn’t hold my breath,” she added.

As another helpful resource for retailers, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board is offering free safety assessments.