Information I received from the Drug Policy Alliance:

2004 -- Racine, Wisconsin -- Hundreds of music fans were ticketed for being in a crowded nightclub where a few people used drugs. Those ticketed had no drugs on them. The police didn’t even have any evidence that they had ever used drugs. Their only “crime” was dancing at a nightclub where other people who used drugs were arrested.

Although only three drug arrests were made, police issued citations to 445 innocent attendees with a penalty of $968 each for being "patrons of a disorderly house." The citations were ultimately dismissed.

Now, it has happened again; this time in Flint, Michigan. On Saturday the local police raided a popular nightclub, Club What’s Next, and ticketed music fans who were attending a dance night known as “Getting Lucky” (the DJs included Halluci-Nate, Sparkimus Prime, White Rabbit, Captain Cheddar and California's Dj Primo.) While some people were arrested for possessing or selling illegal drugs, most people were ticketed for “frequenting a drug establishment,” a misdemeanor offense.

That’s right. In Flint, Michigan (and many other cities) if you go out dancing on a Saturday night and the police happen to arrest other people at the club for drugs, you could be charged with a drug crime even though you had nothing to do with drugs. These innocent party-goers now face up to 90 days in jail and a $500 fine. They also face a criminal record with all the legal and social barriers that brings. Several people at the club that night told us club-goers were also subjected to strip searches, including full cavity searches – even though they had nothing to do with drugs.

The raid on Club What’s Next was conducted by Flint's Special Operations and Crime Area Target Team units, along with the Flint Area Narcotics Group and the Genesee County Sheriff's Posse. We’re looking into whether or not federal Byrne grant money helped finance the raids. (On a side note, any law enforcement agency that has the word “posse” in it should be suspect).

For more information: Drug Policy Alliance

Please, all that has to happen is everyone fight the ticket, take it to a jury trial and they'll give that shit up quick.

True, but what's the point of living in a country where we're 'innocent until proven guilty' if you're ticketed, arrested, etc. for doing something that's legal??

if i were at a party and saw some punk dopin up, i would either leave or have his ass posted out forthwith. why should my havin a good time be spoiled by some crack-head ?

I think the better question to ask is why sould what two dumbasses do ruin the fun for the rest of the law abiding citizens?

This attitude of "punish all the innocent for something a few people did" is something that appears to be ocuring more often nowadays (happens in schools and camps too ) and it REALLY PISSES ME OFF!

raoulduke1, you are right, everone in that club should ban together pool their resources and file a class action lawsuite, force them to spend great amounts of their budgets to defend their stupidity. Power To The People, God help us.

"True, but what's the point of living in a country where we're 'innocent until proven guilty' if you're ticketed, arrested, etc. for doing something that's legal??"

I completely agree. However, freedom from harrassmane from the Man or the Mullah is always going to be a constant fight. It's bullshit, but sometimes you have to go out and hunt for your food.

I thought they had so-dam-insane locked up, guess he,s running the country now from the looks of things..

Whatchya trying to do George, scare us from getting out and doing gigs???

...but seriously, this is just plain WRONG.
How the hell can they expect you police what the audience is doing from the stage? Reading between the lines, looks as if someone was abusing the law and law enforcement to attack a music event for their own reasons.

Drug enforsement policy in America has ALWAYS been abused this for political/other gain than to protect the public. SURE, you should bust folks for driving while impared, bust 'em for giving dope to kids and etc...

But they ALWAYS seem to go to far with it. (Often times it is racism motivated.)

That's right, schmoo!! Welcome to the fascist state! ..where "law enforcement" no longer has to follow the actual law!!

That's WWEEAAAKKKK as fuk! It's just cause our Nation is in debt... The system is lookin' for any excuse to get some extra doe!... Just my opinion.

"If you perform in nightclubs in Wisconsin or Michigan, you need to be aware that two kids smoking a joint in the parking lot can send YOU to jail."

By this same mentality, you could be arrested for being in your home while some kids walk by smoking pot. Obviously you are running some sort of club that encourages dope usage from your home. Whats next? Dragging you out in the street from your home because your home? Our national and state laws are getting seriously out of wack. For the people and by the people now looks more like guilty until proven innocent.

Between those that want you to live life by how they think you should to corporations turf protecting has lead us astray off the intended path our forefathers intend this nation to be.

I love my country but more and more this doesn't look like the country I knew and loved but something out of a novel. 1984 comes to mind....

jeez, over 400 tickets
, i wonder how long it took barney to write them baby's ??? flbgbt