FBI Raids Dispensary Co-Owned By Virginia State Senator

Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Wednesday raided a medical cannabis dispensary co-owned by Virginia state Sen. Louise Lucas (D), the Virginia Mercury reports.

Carried out by SWAT teams and federal FBI agents, the raids targeted the senator’s Portsmouth-based cannabis retailer, The Cannabis Outlet, as well as the senator’s office, which is adjacent to the business. The officers entered the shop with their weapons drawn, ordered everyone to exit, and arrested three individuals, according to the report.

Lucas initially told reporters that she had no idea why she was targeted in the raids, but that she suspected it was an act of political intimidation reflecting “a clear pattern from [the Trump] administration,” the report said.

Lucas later suggested the enforcement action was related to the redistricting referendum that Virginia voters approved last month, which was seen as a major political victory for Democrats.

“I am not backing down, and I will keep fighting for the people of Portsmouth and the commonwealth of Virginia.” — Lucas, in a statement, via the Mercury

Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) is currently considering legislation to set up an adult-use cannabis market. The governor has already passed on the proposal once this year, sending it back to lawmakers with specific requests, but the Legislature voted to reject her changes and sent their original proposal back for consideration.

Now the governor must decide whether to sign, veto, or allow the cannabis sales proposal to become law without her signature.