Unruly Passenger Blames Marijuana Cookies

(AP)  A San Francisco man claims he was high on a double dose of medical marijuana cookies when he screamed, dropped his pants and attacked crew members on a cross-country flight, forcing its diversion to Pittsburgh, the FBI said Wednesday.

Kinman Chan, 30, was charged in a criminal complaint with interfering with the duties of a flight attendant on allegations that he fought with crew members of US Airways Flight 1447 from Philadelphia to Los Angeles on Sunday. His federal public defender, Jay Finkelstein, declined to comment.

Crew members said Chan made odd gestures before he entered the plane's rear restroom shortly after takeoff and began to scream, according to the complaint.

Chan told the FBI that he "came back to reality" and exited the restroom, at which point the crew noticed his "pants were down, his shirt was untucked and all the compartments in the restroom were opened."

When crew members tried to get Chan to sit, he fought them and had to be subdued in a choke hold, the complaint said.

Chan told agents who interviewed him in Pittsburgh that he ate marijuana cookies while waiting for his flight to depart in Philadelphia.

Margaret Philbin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Pittsburgh, said Chan has a legally issued medical marijuana card for a "legitimate" health issue, which she declined to identify.

Chan was arrested in Pittsburgh, then jailed until a federal magistrate granted him bond Tuesday, Philbin said.

Chan remained jailed Wednesday because Allegheny County officials have also charged him with disorderly conduct, Philbin said.

The charge of interfering with the duties of a flight attendant carries up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

[stychokiller]

I'm guessing that his "Medical Condition" is Pathological Liar!

[underdogcity]

It's doubtful that using marijuana would make anyone do something that crazy. Either this guy has some real mental issues, or his cookies were definitely laced with more than just pot.

[erasmus111]

There is a little difference between smoking it and eating it, but I agree, there had to be something else in those cookies.

[ToolMangler1]

They don't call it 'dope' for nothing. Who knows, maybe there is more to Mary Jane than meets the eye!!!!

[AttentionDeficit]

Right. In the early days of prohibitioin, they called it "dope" to equate it with heroin. Now, it is just used to fool people who haven't done it, in hopes of conveying negativity about it. There has to be more involved with this guy than weed. I have been around lots of very stoned people and none of them behaved in this manner. This guy's actions are more like a drunk

[makemyday2day]

Sounds like a story one might find on "Faux News" from Bill O'Reilly!. I don't believe this idiotic propaganda for one minute! This guy was likely schizophrenic or some other type of mental disorder. The fact Ms. Philbin (from the U.S. Attorney's office) refused to name the disorder for which the pot was prescribed pretty much says it all. I doubt it was for a sore knee! CBS News and others who believe this rubbish need to do their research before posting this article OR adding comments!

[rockcutr]

Sounds like a republican undercover anti marijuana dude. More of the Reefer Madness bunk of the 50's. News flash dude. You just wanted to drop your pants and needed a lame excuse. Even your mother wouldn't buy this little white lie. While his pants are down, spank him for lying, and then for giving the flight attendants a hard time. If there is a modicum of justice, you shall get to drop your pants in prison all ya want.

[dragon8me]

I don't buy that. The dude was crazy to start with.

[kansas1946]

I doubt very seriously it was marijuana that made him act the fool. Just a lame excuse.

[NinthSt78]

Pitch the briefs, go for the boxers, and next time eat three or four cookies...

[pnut134]

I will say, that in 52 years this is the only "alleged" incident I have EVER heard of that faulted cannabis for any type of aggressive or schizophrenic behavior.

[SeriousCitizen]

I believe this story as much as I believe in the tooth fairy!
I've smoked as well as know plenty of smokers and this behavior is far from consistent with pot. Being in cookies has no bearing on pot affects.
This type of propaganda gives pot a bad name and I'm sure there is plenty more regarding this incident. Drunk, possibly. We all know plenty of them that are capable of such activity.