There is trouble afoot in Chicago. As of Saturday, an arsonist has hit three cannabis stores with a nasty weapon. The Villa Park Police Department issued a release on Saturday announcing the third attempted arson at a cannabis dispensary in two weeks. Each event happened in the early hours, at about three to four in the morning.
RELATED: Federal dispute could change these harsh weed rules
A suspect wearing all black broke the window of the Villa Park Cannabist store and threw a Molotov cocktail in, triggering an alarm that brought police and fire rescue teams to the scene. The suspect fled on foot, and the flame went out soon after it was thrown through the front window. As police search for the person responsible, the tale becomes part of a larger issue developing throughout the town.
Third arson attempt in two weeks
A person with a similar build wearing all-black clothing and a face mask has attempted two additional arsons. These occurred at Chicago Cannabis Company in North Center and the Cannabist in Jefferson Park in the same early morning time frame.
The suspect, who is believed to be male, broke the windows of each store before throwing a Molotov cocktail into them as well. In response, the Chicago Police Department issued a Business Alert with tips to avoid getting hit next as they search for the suspect.
The Chicago Cannabis Company and the Jefferson Park Cannabist have since reopened following cleanup. The Villa Park location is also open for business today.
Police do not have a suspect and are seeking citizen tips where available. There is also little information as to the motive behind the arsonist, except that they are seemingly targeting weed shops. Nothing has been listed as stolen, and the person leaves the area soon after throwing the explosive device into the windows.
RELATED: Outspoken drug expert talks perfect shroom prep
Same story, different state
A similar situation unfolded for the Craft Cannabis dispensary in Tacoma, Wash. This shop was struck by arsonists twice in March 2024. Before these events, a sign advertising 35 percent off all products in-store was stolen from the building multiple times. Craft Cannabis owner James Bean believes both situations were connected.
Calls from nearby stores to take down the sale signage led him to think the attacks were retaliation from the competition. Bean told King 5 that the fires were an attempt to intimidate him into halting the 35 percent off sale. Neither Craft Cannabis nor Tacoma Police Department was immediately available to comment on the status of this case, or if a competing dispensary was to blame.
From Washington to Chicago, the similarities are troubling as the midwestern metropolis picks up the broken glass. Without a suspect or motive aside from working in weed, business owners are left to follow city guidelines like “Keep the storefront well lit” and hope for the best.
