Police: Toxicology Tests Confirm THC in Teacher's Treat

Birmingham school officials say alleged food tampering involving a pot-laced cookie is an isolated incident. (Photo via Flickr)

» Get Patch’s daily newsletter and e-alerts.

An 18-year-old Seaholm High School student faces felony charges after toxicology tests confirmed traces of THC – an active ingredient in marijuana – in the system of a teacher who became ill after eating a suspected pot-laced cookie the student allegedly gave him, Birmingham police said.

Police Cmdr. Terry Kiernan told the Detroit Free Press police information for a warrant has been submitted to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, and the teen is expected to be charged with food tampering, a 10-year felony, next week.

The teacher, who has not been identified, became ill after eating the cookie and was taken by relatives to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital, where he was treated and released. The teacher ate the cookie on March 4 and returned to school on Monday, school officials said.

Also on Patch:

• Student Suspected of Giving Teacher Pot-Laced Cookie
• Man Allegedly Pays Bail With $300 and Cocaine
• Northville Could Just Say No to Pot Dispensaries

Some medical experts have said that when it is ingested rather than smoked, edible marijuana produces a high comparable to the sensation a person unaccustomed to drinking might feel after consuming a fifth of whiskey.

“You’re getting a much bigger dose over a longer period of time, so you could be absorbing it for three or four days on a brownie or cookie,” said Dr. Lawrence Dell, a physician at Lakes Urgent Hospital.

In an e-mail blast to district patrons, Seaholm Principal Rachel M. Guinn offered reassurance “that our Seaholm students are outstanding young men and women.”

“I see evidence of that every time I walk the halls or visit a classroom,” he wrote. “The actions of one individual, while troubling, do not represent our wonderful school.”