[IVY]

Posted: May 8 2005, 06:52 AM
SanLuisObispo.com

Charges still to be decided in brownie case


The District Attorney's Office is investigating the
case of alleged marijuana at SLO hospital


Sarah Linn
The Tribune


It could take another week or two for the county District Attorney's Office to determine what, if any, charges to bring against the suspected baker of brownies believed to be laced with marijuana that were eaten by a dozen hospital workers two weeks ago.

An employee's family member allegedly brought the treats to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo on April 20, according to hospital spokesman Ron Yukelson. Staff members, including on-shift nurses, reported feeling strange half an hour after eating them, he said.

Neither Sierra Vista nor local police have identified the employee or relative. No arrests have been made, and the case has been turned over to the DA's office, police spokesman Rob Bryn said earlier this week.

"We're taking it very seriously," said Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephen Brown.

Deputy District Attorney Linda Luong, who specializes in narcotics cases, is reviewing the incident with the San Luis Obispo Police Department, Brown said. Luong will help complete the narcotics investigation and decide what charges, if any, to press.

"The most obvious charge is furnishing marijuana," a misdemeanor, Brown said.

That the alleged brownie baker distributed a controlled substance to unknowing, on-duty medical workers may, however, warrant a stronger charge, he said.

One possibility is that of willfully mingling a poison or harmful substance with food, drink or medicine, Brown said. That felony charge carries a sentence of two to four years in state prison.

Marijuana's status as a controlled substance under state and federal law makes it likely that it would considered harmful, Brown said.

If the District Attorney's Office decides to press charges, Brown said the office would either send a notice asking the suspect to appear in court or ask a judge to issue an arrest warrant.

The state Department of Health Services is looking into an incident that occurred at the hospital the same week, according to spokesman Robert Miller. But he wouldn't say whether the investigation was connected to the pot-laden brownies.

[IVY]

I Dont think its right to get people stoned, who dont want to be.... or .dont know they are going to be..
whats ya'll take on this?