22 Arrested After Police Raid 'Pot Party' In Frankford
By Tim Jimenez and Joe Holden
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Nearly two dozen people were arrested as Philadelphia Police raided a "pot party" in the Frankford section of the city.
It was billed on social media as a "Philly Smoke Session." The location: a warehouse in the 4500 block of Worth Street. The so-called "Spring Fling" VIP event came with a $50 admission.
The party got off the ground at 6 p.m. Friday, and at 8 p.m., police stormed in.
Authorities say 22 people were arrested and they seized 50 pounds of pot, $50,000, four guns, and around 100 pounds of edibles. Licenses and Inspections faulted the building for a number of safety issues, including the number of entrances and exits.
"When they had us in there, they had us on the floor with our hands on our heads," said attendee Mike Whiter. "You go to these things, you're always expecting that something could happen."
Whiter, who says he is a vet, uses marijuana to ease symptoms of PTSD.
"Of course we know what the risks are, we know cannabis is illegal, (but) the fact is it helps us," said Whiter.
Chris Goldstein, a writer and marijuana legalization advocate, was also there.
"I was put into metal handcuffs," he said. "The first officer put his hands down the front of my pants during the search. I was handed off to a narcotics officer who performed a second search of me - also hands down the front of my pants while I was handcuffed. I was then released and let go."
Goldstein and Whiter were among the 175 people who were released without charges.
Goldstein says police should be focusing on more serious matters; many in attendance at this "SmokeEasy" need medical marijuana because Pennsylvania's program is still in the works.
"Many of these patients are low-income, local patients," he said. "I don't know how they would be able to fly to Denver, Colorado and fly back any product."
He, and others, are discouraged with how they say the police department responded.
Some at the party also expressed frustration for the time it's taking the state to implement its medical marijuana program. It won't fully take effect for another year, according to the state Department of Health.
A member of Philadelphia Police Public Information staff could say what charges the 22 people arrested are facing, or if they have been charged. A person who answered the phone at Philadelphia's preliminary arraignment court could not provide any information if charges had been filed.
Police also executed search warrants at two addresses in South Philadelphia.
