Investigation Underway After Cannabis Cake Shared at Hospital Staff Lunch

Health officials and police are investigating an incident at Hawke’s Bay Hospital where a staff member allegedly brought a cannabis-infused cake to a shared lunch, resulting in two employees falling ill. The incident has sparked concern and calls for accountability.

The situation came to light after two hospital staff members reportedly ended up in the emergency department following consumption of the cake. According to reports, the individual who brought the cake has since resigned, though no official statement has been made regarding the reason for their departure.

Police confirmed that they are investigating an incident at the hospital on June 30, though they have not provided specific details about the nature of the event. A spokesperson for Health New Zealand in the Hawke’s Bay region stated that the organization is taking the matter extremely seriously and has taken immediate steps to address the situation.

"The safety of hospital staff and patients is always our top priority," the spokesperson said. "No clinical staff or senior medical officers were involved in this incident." The incident reportedly involved administrative staff, according to Minister of Health Simeon Brown, who described the situation as "unacceptable and should not happen."

Brown emphasized that while he is not directly responsible for such matters, the incident has been taken seriously by the relevant authorities. He also noted that Health New Zealand is cooperating with police in their ongoing investigation.

As the investigation continues, the incident has raised questions about workplace safety and the handling of controlled substances in professional environments. The hospital and health authorities are expected to provide further updates in the coming days.