Pot-Laced Brownies Given to Professor, Students; 'Prison Time' Possible for Suspects
Two University of Colorado students have been arrested for allegedly giving their peers and a professor brownies laced with marijuana. The two are facing charges of assault in the second degree and inducing consumption of controlled substances by fraudulent means.
"Two students – Thomas Ricardo Cunningham, 21, and Mary Elizabeth Essa, 19 – baked THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)-laced brownies for the class as part of a 'bring food day.' The professor and classmates were unaware that the brownies contained THC," Boulder police told ABC News.
Cunningham and Essa laced the brownies then brought them to class; as everyone began eating, some noticed that they were having unusual reactions to the treats. Paramedics were called to the classroom after the professor "complained of feeling dizzy and 'losing consciousness,'" Gawker reported.
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Two students were also taken to the hospital due to effects of the drug.
"An investigation revealed that the three hospitalized victims– and five other classmates– were suffering from the effects of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana," police later said.
While those who were taken to the hospital were treated and released, Cunningham and Essa's troubles are just beginning.
"There could be prison time in this case," police spokesman Ryan Huff told reporters at a press conference. "Putting marijuana into a food product and providing it to someone without their knowledge is something we take very seriously."
"It's not only a violation of the law and university rules but that trust violation is absolutely critical. To do that to one's classmates and professor, just undoes the fabric of what goes on in the classroom," added Colorado University spokesperson Bronson Hilliard.
Even though Colorado recently legalized the use of marijuana, this case is considered a felony due to the unknown drugging of persons involved. At the very least, Cunningham and Essa could be expelled or suspended from the University for their antics.
Watch the official press conference here:
