Rising Security Vulnerabilities Plaguing Everett Cannabis Retailers

EVERETT, WA — Cannabis retailers in Everett, Washington, are facing an escalating wave of security threats that have prompted industry operators to call for stronger protection measures. Over the past two years, local dispensaries have been targeted by increasingly bold criminal tactics, ranging from coordinated smash-and-grab burglaries to violent confrontations.

In January 2024, a dramatic incident at an Everett pot shop was caught on camera when an employee or bystander used bear spray to prevent a group of suspects from carrying out a crash-and-grab burglary. The suspect vehicle had attempted to smash through the building's entrance, but the quick-thinking individual deployed the chemical deterrent, forcing the would-be thieves to flee the scene empty-handed. While this attempt was successfully thwarted, it underscored the physical risks employees face on the front lines.

The situation deteriorated further in November 2025, when a local dispensary fell victim to a successful smash-and-grab burglary. Surveillance footage revealed that a group of five suspects used a stolen Kia to plow directly through the shop's storefront. The vehicle caused catastrophic structural damage, allowing the suspects to quickly raid the showroom floors for inventory before fleeing before police could arrive. This crash-and-grab method has become a signature tactic for retail theft rings across the Puget Sound region, exploiting the vulnerability of commercial storefronts.

Industry advocates point out that the federal classification of cannabis forces many dispensaries to operate as cash-heavy businesses, making them prime targets for organized crime. Furthermore, the high resale value of cannabis products on the illicit market adds to the incentive. Business owners are calling on local authorities and state lawmakers to address these systemic issues, including implementing stricter penalties for ram-raids and providing resources to enhance physical security barriers, such as bollards, around retail sites.