One arrested after 24 have bad reaction to drugs

UPDATE: Matthew L. Gross, 28, of Ypsilanti, Michigan, has been arrested in connection with the drug incident at Ohio Dreams and been charged with trafficking in drugs. Check out the full story here.

BUTLER - A total of 24 people attending a festival Saturday at Ohio Dreams experienced a bad reaction after eating candy laced with THC.

METRICH Commander Lt. Joe Petrycki said the word "overdose" was too strong.

"They didn't lose consciousness," he said. "They just felt different."

THC is a mind-altering drug found in the cannabis plant. Petrycki said THC normally gives a sense of euphoria.

"It also makes them feel tired, which is what we were told happened today," he said.

Worthington Township Assistant Fire Chief Ken Steinman said firefighters received numerous calls about people with "unusual symptoms."

"They were having discomfort," he said. "We got directions on how to treat the patients."

Those who had a bad reaction were taken to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.

"Everybody appears to be OK," Richland County Sheriff's Maj. Joe Masi said.

Patrons were attending the EST Fest at Ohio Dreams, an action sports summer camp about three miles northeast of Butler on Tugend Road.  The EST Fest (Everyone Stands Together) was a two-day event that started Friday. The headliner was rapper Machine Gun Kelly.

Billed as the Last Weekend on Earth, the event was promoted as being for people 18 and older.

"We thought it was important that people of all races, colors and creeds came together," said James McMillan, CEO of EST 19XX.

McMillan said it was "regretful" that the actions of a few affected the festival.

No arrests have been made. Petrycki said authorities have received conflicting reports about how many people were involved and what they looked like.

The lieutenant said there were reports of one person or two people distributing packets labeled "Prescribed Medibles" and "Nerd Bites."

Witnesses also gave varying heights and weights in their descriptions, but mentioned numerous tattoos and backpacks.

Noting there were 3,000 people at EST Fest, Petrycki said, "It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack."

Masi said the concert-goers were given packets between 10 and 11 a.m.

"There were about 20 pieces in each one," Masi said. "Each had a very, very high dose of THC. We have not seen this stuff in our area before."

He added, "What likely happened is whoever passed these out did not give the people any instructions."

Authorities made arrangements for the substance to be tested at the Mansfield Police Department crime lab.

"(Crime lab director) Tony Tambasco said he has not seen such a high concentration of THC in his lab," Masi said.

Zehner said festival personnel searched vehicles as they entered the property. He said they probably did not know what the packets were.

"They were looking for guns, weapons, knives," Zehner said. "They're not looking for candy."

Zehner said there was no consideration of shutting down the festival, noting there were no other problems since the event started at noon Friday.

"Granted, that's a pretty big problem," he said of the drugs.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill