Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 15, 2015
Two city workers fired over pot-brownies
The city has fired two employees fingered for bringing pot brownies to a public works yard and sharing them with an unknowing co-worker.
The city initially suspended two male workers suspecting of bringing the banned baked goods to the Stoney Creek yard Dec. 22.
The brownies prompted an “adverse reaction” in a 20-year-old worker who was rushed to hospital, but has since recovered and returned to work.
Hamilton police investigated but determined there wasn’t enough evidence to lay charges. But Wednesday, city officials announced they’ve wrapped up an internal probe and fired the unidentified public works employee.
An update to council from public works had Gerry Davis said the pair were fired because of “possession an/or use of illegal drugs on city property.”
Generally, it takes longer to get high from eating cannabis-infused foods compared to smoking marijuana, but the effects can last longer. Symptoms of overdose in either case can include anxiety and panic attacks, disorientation or delusions.
“We are taking this matter very seriously,” Davis said previously, and contacted all city councillors to assure them an “internal investigation” was underway after The Spectator asked about the incident.
The banned baked goods were not reported to the provincial Ministry of Labour, but Hamilton police investigated and decided there was “insufficient evidence” to lay charges, said spokesperson Const. Claus Wagner. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)