Pizza accidentally infused with THC sickens dozens in Wisconsin

STOUGHTON, Wis. — Pizza accidentally laced with THC has apparently sickened dozens of people in Wisconsin.

Dane County health officials say Famous Yeti’s Pizza in Stoughton, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southeast of Madison, served pizza contaminated with THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, Monday through Thursday. Paramedics alerted health officials Thursday that they had transported five people who said they became ill after eating pizza at the restaurant.

Health officials said they have received dozens of reports of people getting sick from the pizza and are still receiving reports. A full number will be available in a final report, they said.

Officials said a restaurant cook ran out of oil, walked into a shared commercial kitchen in the same building and accidentally grabbed a cup of oil from a shelf that contained Delta-9, a form of THC.

Marijuana is illegal in Wisconsin, but products like THC derived from the hemp plant are legal. Health officials said the oil in question can be used to make everything from cakes to condiments.

Symptoms related to THC can include dizziness, increased blood pressure, vomiting, anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.

Famous Yeti’s Pizza co-owner Cale Ryan told the Wisconsin State Journal that the chef simply got the wrong oil. A batch of dough, which can make 60 pizzas, was contaminated, he said. He has heard from about 20 customers who were affected, he said.

“They’re getting really killed,” he said. “It’s THC high, so I think it’s more alarming than anything to feel that way. It basically means eating an edible, but without knowing it.”