by I. Edwards
A pizza shop in Wisconsin accidentally served food made with oil containing THC, the main compound in marijuana, sickening dozens of people.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared a report last week that identified the eatery as Famous Yeti’s Pizza in Stoughton, Wisc.
The mixup happened in October, when the restaurant ran out of cooking oil. Employees grabbed what they thought was regular canola oil from a shared kitchen space, but it was actually oil infused with THC.
That oil was used to make pizza dough and other menu items, including garlic bread, cheese bread and sandwiches, the CDC said.
The food was sold between Oct. 22 and 24.
Emergency services first learned something was wrong after taking seven people to hospitals with symptoms like dizziness, anxiety and extreme sleepiness.
All said they had eaten food from the pizzeria. One person tested positive for THC but said they had not knowingly consumed any cannabis.
Local health officials launched an investigation and urged others who had eaten at Famous Yeti’s to come forward. In all, 85 of 107 people who responded reported eating the contaminated food and developing symptoms within five hours.
Symptoms of THC intoxication can include dizziness, sleepiness, panic attacks, anxiety, nausea, increased heart rate and hallucinations.
Short-term memory can also be affected, the CDC said.
Those affected ranged in age from 1 to 91. Thirty-three said they sought care from a doctor. Fifteen said they tested positive for THC.
The pizza shop shared its kitchen with a state-licensed vendor who makes edible THC products.
According to the report from CDC, the restaurant’s owner agreed to close down as soon as they were notified. The owner admitted to using oil from the shared space and said they later realized it might have been cannabis-infused.
Testing confirmed the oil did contain THC. Police investigated but did not file charges, since the incident appeared to be unintentional.
The restaurant reopened Oct. 26 after cleaning and sanitizing following standards in the Wisconsin Food Code, the CDC said.
More information:
Amanda Kita-Yarbro et al, Tetrahydrocannabinol Intoxication from Food at a Restaurant — Wisconsin, October 2024, MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2025). DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7427a2
The American Cancer Society has more on cannabis and cannabinoids.
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Dozens sick after eating THC-tainted food at Wisconsin pizzeria (2025, July 28)
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