Cannabis brownies served at pensioners' lunch prompt police probe
‘We’ve got to get to the bottom of this, no doubt about it,’ says lunch club organiser in rural Canada
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Several senior citizens in southern Canada required medical help after eating cannabis chocolate brownies served at a community lunch, Canadian media reported.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) launched an investigation into how the drug found its way into the chocolate treats given to elderly people in the tiny Ontario township of Whitestone.
Police said 10 people needed medical attention after eating the brownies, with some saying they felt dizzy and disoriented, and others experiencing nausea and vomiting.
OPP constable Miles Loach told CBC News that police officers would try to track down where the brownies came from.
“These luncheons are catered,” he said. “It’s still part of the investigation whether that was what happened … [that] somebody brought the wrong batch or somebody spiked them.”
The incident happened at the community centre in Whitestone, a community of just over 900 people around 185 miles north of Toronto.
James McNurdo, a semi-retired man involved organising the monthly lunch club, said the brownies were served buffet-style.
“I’ve done these events for a number of years for this particular group so, obviously, I’m as mortified as anybody,” he told The Globe and Mail. “We’ve got to get to the bottom of this, no doubt about it.”
Mr McNurdo added: “The rumour mill is in overdrive.”
Police had initial concerns some of the lunch club attendees might have been allergic to the substance – or could even have even driven home inadvertently stoned.
But Mr Loach said no-one had suffered any seriously adverse effects from the cannabis-laced cake. OPP officers got the names of everyone present at the lunch and made follow-up calls to make sure everyone was okay.
Canada legalised and regulated cannabis last year. But there are criminal offences related to administering a noxious substance to “cause harm” or “aggrieve”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments