Woman could face jail time for marijuana-laced cookies
A woman has been convicted of giving marijuana-laced cookies to two unsuspecting coworkers at a Superior Township nursery more than three years ago, making one of them ill.
Bonnie June Archibald, 58, of Romulus, pleaded guilty Tuesday in 14A District Court to two counts of aggravated assault and battery, court records show.
Archibald
Archibald offered the cookies to a 52-year-old Ann Arbor man and 58-year-old Saline man about 12:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 2008, at Margolis Nursery on Cherry Hill Drive, where she worked in retail.
Her coworkers accepted the cookies, not knowing they were laced with marijuana, Washtenaw County sheriff's department spokesman Derrick Jackson said.
The younger victim had a bad reaction after eating the cookies. He was taken by ambulance from Olive Garden in Ann Arbor to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township after complaining of heart attack-like symptoms, Jackson said.
The incident was reported to police 11 days later.
Archibald originally was charged with two felony counts of placing harmful objects in food, but reached a plea deal that calls for those charges to be dismissed.
She no longer works at the nursery. Reached by phone Wednesday morning, she declined to comment.
Archibald is out on a promise to appear in court and is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 28, when she faces up to a year in jail on each misdemeanor count.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Atticus F.
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:47 p.m.
I'm a advocate for the legalization of marijuana. However, what this person did gives marijuana users and advocates for legalization a bad name. You have no right to lace another persons food, beverage, ect. with anything. I dont care if it's marijuana, acid, alcohol, vicodin, ect., you have no right.
TinyArtist
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:41 p.m.
What happened at the Olive Garden? A serious case of the munchies could cause someone to overdose on Alfredo. Co-defendants might be needed for a fair and balanced settlement.
shutthefrtdoor
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
Yes...and the jury should be able to "try out the evidence"...I think my number is up!
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:14 p.m.
So, for all you people that think this is no big deal: How was the guy supposed to get home? Is driving while impared OK? What if he would have been pulled over, who's fault would that have been? (I don't know occifer, somebody gave me a cookie, man.) What if he would have got in a wreck? Would you have got out the pitchforks and wanted him in prison? Not funny at all.
RudeJude
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.
Won't somebody please think of the children?
Wilford John Presler IV
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.
I for one would like to be informed and given the option. I would be PISSED if someone dosed me with any THC laced food without informing me beforehand and would likely either prosecute them or beat their arse...(and I like "budcookies") I agree with the above post, It is not a cannabis issue, It is a food tampering issue and should be dealt with accordingly.
shutthefrtdoor
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:13 p.m.
Man...you can smell those cookies a mile away! They allegedly have a distinct flavor as well. I hope the "victim" will be ok.
West Park
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.
Nasty, Nasty, Nasty thing to do. Maximum Penalty.
Kronoberger
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.
Unquestionably a stupid move on her part. Still, why waste the tax payers' money on jail time. Seems a fine would be more appropriate. Certainly the victims have civil remedies available to them if they are so inclined.
Mick52
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:24 a.m.
I once worked with a guy who went to a party and unknowingly ate some MJ brownies. He was furious when he found out because he was applying for a job that required a drug test. That would be another problem with doing something like this.
treetowncartel
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:36 a.m.
I once drank vegetable oil that was supposedly a dead beer someone couldn't finish, live and learn baby
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:48 a.m.
@Bonnie Archibald: please stick to brand name brownie mixes from now on. Also, avoid tossing in your own additives; mixes with chocolate chips and walnuts are readily available. Sorry to hear your creative baking impulse didn't work out. Just look at the bright side, now she's got two years to prepare for bake off contests!
WalkingJoe
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:17 a.m.
For those who think this is harmless let me relate something I saw at work one time. One of our practical jokers laced some of our coffee cups with hot pepper juice. He laughed himself silly watching people's reactions until one of the guys started choking and was taken first to the First Aid station and then the hospital due to the fact he was highly allergic to hot peppers. The joker was given some unpaid time off and was more careful with his pranks after that. Lacing people food with something legal or illegal is not a wise thing because you just don't know how they maybe affected.
RJA
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.
Yikes, marijuana laced cookies? I know I won't be taking any cookies from anyone other than family. Personally, this IS a crime and I think time in jail would be good. This lady did not use good judgement at all. Party's are another story, one should ask or be told, If not they are on their own.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:57 p.m.
@dogpaddle you would probably feel differently if someone spiked something you ate or drink without knowing it. Certainly a spiked drink could be given to someone who doesn't drink or someone on a medication that reacts with alcohol. Some foods cannot be ingested with certain medications. (like lipitor and grapefruit?) Furthermore these men could have been driving trucks or working with a forklift all day long while buzzed, I bet their employer wouldn't like that or the employers insurance company. Or a person could be given a magic brownie unknowingly and fail a drug test like a pilot or a cop. Or worse yet eat a spiked cookie and get in the cockpit or behind a wheel. giving the men spiked cookies unbeknownst to them she essentially and effectively poisoned them. She should be punished. People should have the freedom to be able to eat something without worry, whether from a co-worker or at a restuarant. tampering with food is a crime, a serious one, from a needle in Halloween candy to some punk spiting in a cops food order at the drive thru. this really isn't a marijuana issue it is a poisoning/food tampering issue
bunnyabbot
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:11 p.m.
I just want to add I am not pro marijuana, to me spiking someones food with pot or acid or putting GHB in a drink as far as I am concerned would all equate to drugging someone for the purposes of drugging them. That is alternating thier state for whatever purposes.
dogpaddle
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.
I'm all for legalizing marijuana (like Prohibition, our war on a naturally and easy to grow weed or herb is just a waste of resources). Yes, Archibald should never have given someone pot-laced cookies without telling them, but unless you're allergic to it, I really don't think this should count as some kind of assault. Mistake in judgement, yes. I would like to think with all of the commotion and legal battles, she has learned her lesson and this should be the end of it. As for her coworker's reaction, (a) I agree with Freight Train - not to "dis" Olive Garden, but you're in a restaurant - how do we know it wasn't a food borne thing from there or a critical violation of the health code? and (b) especially from eating it - and not expecting it - one can temporarily get a little paranoid and thus have a panic attack or heart-attack like symptoms (but not an actual heart attack). I'm glad her coworker is fine. Not to diminish the severity of this, but it just sounds like he had an unwelcome reaction to being too stoned. What happens when you're at a party and someone spikes the punch (with alcohol) and doesn't tell people? Is that also a crime? Again, not saying it's wise behavior, just asking.
johnnya2
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:37 a.m.
I am very pro marijuana, though I do not use it anymore, but I would not consider spiking a persons cookies or punch to be a good plan. My mother is a non-drinking alcoholic. If you "spiked" her punch it would not only criminal, it could have severe consequences for her. Would you think it ok to spike a girls drink with GHB?
SMC
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 12:02 a.m.
On principle, giving someone marijuana cookies or spiking the punch without telling them is the same as slipping GHB or roofies into their drink, which, last I heard, is a crime.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:16 p.m.
some people don't want to be stoned at all let alone "too stoned".
smokeblwr
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
Yes, spiking the punch is a crime. The outcome can be fatal if the person consuming the punch or cookie doesn't know what they are ingesting. Either they die from overconsumption or they get in a car and get in an accident. Party's over dude.
obviouscomment
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
"What happens when you're at a party and someone spikes the punch (with alcohol) and doesn't tell people" Hmm, not sure but I would think it could be because you aren't checking ID so possibly a minor could drink it unknowingly or there's also the situation of someone getting sick because they aren't supposed to have alcohol. Of course I'd think you'd be able to taste the alcohol.
N. Todd
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
Those cookies can go for (up to) $8 or $10 each. Based on the man's reaction to it, I would guess they were quite potent. Ms. Archibald, please contact me so I can provide you with my address. MMmmmm, free medibles!
shutthefrtdoor
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
Talk about "MUNCHIES"...so much for all you can eat soup, salad, and breadsticks!!! Olive Garden will probably get sued now for "over-serving"!
Buster W.
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.
That's far out, man...
Mike
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:23 p.m.
This is a waste of time. On one hand we say it's OK and that it's medicine and now we're going to prosecute someone for having it in cookies. Is it just me or what????????
Maya
Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
Angry moderate- sick people and doctors don't have to think the same as I do. And if they chose to use marijuana then that's fine. I was just saying that this man clearly doesn't consider it as medicine and was completely unaware that he had eaten it. This caused him to think he was having a stroke, and shouldn't be taken lightly just because some people use marijuana as medicine.
Elizabeth Scott
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
Just because something is considered a medicine and can be helpful to someone's condition, doesn't mean everyone should take it. Nor should a medicine that can have harmful effects in some be banned. Take penicillin, for example...
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.
Maya - People with AIDS, cancer, and glaucoma don't care what you consider medicine. Neither do the doctors who recommend it.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:21 p.m.
@ Maya, thanks for saying that, some think Marijuana is a no big deal thing, I immedialty though of the man thinking he was dying with a worried family around him.
Maya
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
It's just you. This is absolutely not a waste of time. This family spent four and a half days at the hospital while their dad/ husband was getting test after test because he thought he had a stroke. This 52 year old man does not consider marijuana as medicine.
Ron Granger
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.
Really? It is a prescription medicine. And even if it weren't, it is still adulterated. Would it be okay to give co-workers juice spiked with vodka? How about percocet, etc?
Angry Moderate
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
Do you often bake your medications into cookies and trick people into eating them without telling them what it is?
A2comments
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
3 years later?
shutthefrtdoor
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.
They say the the weed does have an affect on short term memory!
Mick52
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:19 a.m.
Wondering about that too. Long time for a case to be decided.
smokeblwr
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
I thought marijuana was good for you?
johnnya2
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:38 a.m.
It is for some things, but that has nothing to do with this situation.
treetowncartel
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.
Ok, why did I immediately think of Dr. Johnny Fever and Mr. Carlson?
treetowncartel
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:34 a.m.
The turkey drop was a classic, but I still puT the phone cops episode at the top of the pack for being hilarious. I might add that Venus Flytrap's comparison of gangs to a nucleus(CEll)was one of the most genius episodes TV has ever seen, I don't even think there is a Little House on the Prarie life lesson thAT CAN COMPARE.
johnnya2
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:32 a.m.
Sorry guys, but skyjockeys comment is still the funniest line ever from WKRP. It might be the funniest scene from a sitcom in that era
Skyjockey43
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 11 p.m.
As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!!!
f4phantomII
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
Barney Miller, too. I enjoyed the WKRP when Les's mom came to visit.
treetowncartel
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
@ leezee, I agree and I will add that the "phone cops" episode is by far the most hilarious one of all
leezee
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
"Help me, Andy! There's a monkey on my foot!" One of my favorite lines from WKRP