Tacoma, Roy ‘clubs’ busted for illegal weed sales. State seized 1,300 pounds, 73 plants
Officials seized 1,300 pounds of cannabis products and arrested three people at two Pierce County businesses that were selling weed illegally, according to the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board.
The raids last week followed probes into Vincere’s Compassion Club in Tacoma and Red Barn Trading Post in Roy, according to a news release. Officials are investigating how the unlicensed retailers obtained the seized pot.
After multiple public complaints about the stores, undercover officers purchased cannabis at both businesses, according to a news release. The Roy store also sold them illegal psilocybin mushrooms and peyote.
Pierce County sheriff’s deputies and LCB officers executed search warrants at the properties Aug. 30, according to a news release. The seized material included cannabis concentrates and edible products, some of which would have been illegal to sell even at licensed retailers due to their THC serving sizes and appeal to children.
Both stores also operated illegal “clubs” where people could use cannabis products, according to a news release.
LCB officers arrested and booked one person at Vincere’s Compassion Club into the Pierce County jail on cannabis-related crimes, according to a news release. Officials also seized 73 cannabis plants, about 800 pounds of cannabis products, growing supplies, cash, electronics, surveillance equipment, ballistic vests and two firearms.
A Facebook page for Vincere’s Compassion Club described it as a club for medical marijuana users to buy medicine. The business thanked customers for their support in a post on Saturday that alluded to “hard times” and indicated the store remained open.
No one answered the phone number listed for the business Wednesday afternoon. Facebook users commented that the business was not answering the phone or direct messages.
The business is licensed with the state as a sole proprietorship under Michael Deluca, who has no active criminal cases in Pierce County.
Officers arrested and booked two uncooperative people at Red Barn Trading Post and will recommend charges related to distributing drugs and operating an illegal club, according to a news release. Officials seized about 400 pounds of cannabis products, psilocybin and peyote products, cash, electronics, surveillance equipment and four firearms.
Red Barn Trading Post markets itself as a club for medical cannabis patients, according to its Instagram account. Photos show various cannabis products.
A person who answered the phone for the business and said, ”Red Barn,” hung up when asked about the seizure.
The address for Red Barn Trading Post is associated with a number of business licenses, some of which are expired. The Liquor and Cannabis Board is still investigating which license is most closely associated with Red Barn Trading Post.
The only actions besides the recommendation of criminal charges that LCB will be taking forfeiture of the property that was seized as evidence (e.g., cannabis, cash, electronic devices, etc.). The forfeiture is an administrative process required under RCW 69.50.505. Because the business does not have a cannabis license, issuing a standard administrative violation notice is not an option as would be the case if they were licensed by the LCB.
A Liquor and Cannabis Board spokesperson told The News Tribune that the forfeiture and recommendation of criminal charges are the only actions the agency can pursue against the businesses. The agency can not issue fines or violation notices because neither was a license cannabis retailer.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is handling the criminal investigation. A spokesperson did not immediately return a request for additional information about the suspects police arrested.
Editors’ note: This story was updated to include business license information about Red Barn Trading Post and Vincere’s Compassion Club, as well as the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s inability to issue administrative violations to unlicensed retailers.
This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
