I have a news from CNN to show all of you
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Supporters of medical marijuana partook in a fundraiser Friday night in San Jose to raise legal funding for collectives caught up in a recent crackdown.
Attendees said the Thursday raids by the Santa Clara County Drug Task Force on three South Bay collectives made them more determined to hold the Medical Cannabis Fundraiser.
The event, which took place inside the MedEx Collective Friday night, consisted of dozens of collective members smoking large amounts of marijuana. A man dressed as Santa helped pass around large baskets filled with joints to attendees, who smoked the offerings openly inside the club. The collective was also open for business, selling various quantities of pot and pot-laced products.
"The collectives that are part of this fundraiser are drawing a line in the sand," said Douglas Carter, founder of Angel's Care Collective.
Representatives from the collectives vowed to keep operating.
"[It was] definitely very scary to be operating today," said Daniel Hovland, president of the MedEx Collective. "Whether we're closed or we're open, they're gonna come and do it anyway. So, for us it's about helping the patients."
On Friday the head of the Santa Clara County Drug Task Force didn't return calls made by KTVU News seeking more information on the raids. The task force has stated numerous times that the raids target marijuana clubs allegedly making a profit under the guise of a being a non-profit and for selling marijuana illegally, such as to non-members.
Some officers wore black ski-masks during and drew their weapons during Thursday's raids. Collective workers said that made them feel like task force officers were acting like criminals.
"It left me with my heart pounding and processing, 'oh, not a robbery- police,'" Patricia Sanchez said.
"They were trying to make a lot of destruction and noise and scare us all," Shelby Ferry said. "They scared a lot of the patients."
The city of San Jose planned to hold a special public hearing on marijuana dispensaries this Monday. Many owners said they eventually want to fight the raids in court.