Police in Newmarket, New Hampshire, said several people -- including a child -- who ate ice cream from a local shop last weekend became ill and later tested positive for THC.
Newmarket police said they and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating reports of several people feeling ill after consuming Angelo's Amore brand ice cream at Roots Local Cafe and Catering, a local ice cream shop and restaurant located on Main Street in the Newmarket Mills.
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On Friday, March 17, and Saturday, March 18, Newmarket police said several unrelated patrons began checking themselves into regional hospitals for "multiple adverse symptoms," including severe dizziness, weakness and exceptionally high heart rates.
Some of the people tested positive for THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive component in marijuana, hashish, and other preparations derived from cannabis, police said.
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One of the victims remained in the hospital overnight for observation, and another victim was a child. All of them have since recovered, according to police.
Police said Roots Local Cafe is cooperating with their investigation and forfeited their ice cream for testing.
The owners of Roots Cafe posted a message on their Facebook page Friday saying they are cooperating with police and all of the affected ice cream has been removed from their store.
"Roots Cafe is no longer getting ice cream from Angelo Amore's and is cooperating fully with all involved," they said. "We cannot believe or understand how this happened. Angelo's Amore is no longer in business and Roots Cafe had no part in making of this ice cream. We are saddened by this news for those involved, as well as outraged that this could happen to anyone. We are fully cooperating with the Police and assure you that all his ice cream has been removed from this store. Our deepest apologies to all involved and we promise we will do everything in our power to make sure this never happens to anyone ever again."
The restaurant was open on Friday afternoon but the owners declined an interview request. They did, however, reply to a message seeking comment explaining the situation a bit further.
They said Roots Cafe shared space with Angelo's Amore, which made and distributed the ice cream. They said they have since switched to a new company, Memories Ice Cream in Kingston, and have gotten rid of all Angelo's Amore products from their store.
"He is no longer in business as of today," the owners said. "We are outraged that this could have happened. We are saddened by the reports of people getting sick and are fully cooperating with all involved."
Anyone with information regarding this incident or who had a similar experience is asked to contact Detective Zach Wedgeworth of the Newmarket Police Department at 603-659-8505.
