Press reports this morning indicate that Steve Sarich, executive director of CannaCare in Kirkland, was the victim of a home invasion robbery of his medical marijuana grow at about 5 a.m. today. One of the robbers fired on Sarich with a shot gun. Sarich fired on them and hit two of his assailants; one has reportedly been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Sarich was treated and released from an area hospital. King County Sheriff’s Office personnel are investigating the crime.
Sarich is a friend of Sensible Washington and a true warrior for the cause. We’re all glad that he is OK. Certainly what went on in unincorporated King County earlier today would not be going on if I-1068 gets on the ballot and passes in November.
I’ll have more on this case as it develops.
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Well there is some factual error here. I’ve been following this very carefully. Only one of the burglars got shot… I know this because I knew 2 of the 5 or so that there were… and of those two the only one I actually liked or could stand to be around was the one who got shot. It’s unfortunate because he was actually a decent guy, he just got caught up with the wrong people (by moving in with one of the others).
But I do find it sad that due to frailty of the economy and the obviously failing drug laws, people would be driven to acts of violence such as this. Sad too is the fact that Sarich found himself being a victim twice, the second time at the hands of the police who raided his house, breaking down doors that could easily be unlocked by his wife.
Let’s make a change! Let’s fix a failing system and prevent future incidents like these!
I am saddened at the terrible damage that these idiots have done, both to Steve personally and to the cause of medical marijuana in Washington and nationally. This kind of thing is exactly what we don’t need and the other side does need so they can continue to spew their lies that keep patients from safe, legal access to medical marijuana and continue to fuel the real “drug wars” out of Mexico and central America by keeping the value of pot smuggling sufficient to maintain the drug cartel’s interests. But that is a story for another day (Squirrel!!!!…)
I wish Steve all the best for a speedy physical recovery as well as emotional recovery. Being theoretically prepared to defend your life, your family, your home and your property via the use of “deadly force” (i.e. legally owing firearms) is one thing, actually having to point a weapon at a real living, breathing human and pull that trigger is something entirely different. I am glad that Steve was prepared for the unthinkable and I believe that this is, once again, proof that real reform to America’s drug laws on a national, state and local level is needed NOW!
True marijuana law reform will prevent this kind of threat to legal growers and dispensaries will be as safe to do business as the local pharmacy is for both the customers and the businesses. Please support H.R. 2835 in the US House of Representatives (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2835) as well as I-1068 in the Washington State legislature.
I met steve twice before and he’s a really cool guy i’m glad the little bastids got shot they deserved it.I’m glad he’s ok too.
I couldn’t have said it better, Evan and Old70sfart. It wasn’t a good thing that happened, but since it would’ve happened anyway, I’m glad who it sounds like it happened 2
and I’m glad u’re wounds weren’t life threatening Steve!! Wishing 4 a quick recovery 4 u…
Yes, Free the Weed
thank god and our weed growing founders for the right to bear arms!
Happy to see he’s ok and the perps deserved what they got. He needs to pick up a HD shotgun in lieu of a .22!
Yeah, I met him two hempfests back.
I wouldn’t pick him to mess with either. Your description matches my memory.
Too bad this had to happen. Glad to see Steve is OK. A few months back a fellow growing medical marijuana in North Seattle was invaded for his crop, under the guise of a police raid.
When we get this initiative on the ballot to legalize canabis and get it voted in the law. I would hope this violence, like in Steve’s case here, will be a thing of the past.
Steve is a high profile proponent of medical marijuana to say the least. Growing of this medicinal herb is best done in secret, even with lawful medical paperwork. Loose lips sink ships.
Keep your medical grow, strictly need to know!
Legalize canabis for adults now.
Free the Weed!!!!!
Obviously, the robbers had NO idea who they were dealing with. I’ve met Steve Sarich, and if he’s the same cranky old SOB he was 6-7 years ago, there’s no way in hell that I would tangle with him.
Steve, you have my best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. Keep on fighting the good fight!