CANNABIS CAKE: POOL ASSOCIATION APOLOGISES

The Marlborough Pool Association has written to its sister organisation in
Dunedin apologising following a cannabis cake scandal at a tournament in
Dunedin at the weekend.

A 36-year-old Blenheim woman has been arrested after four members of the
Marlborough team were treated at Dunedin Hospital after eating a cake
allegedly containing cannabis.

Marlborough Pool Association secretary Lyn Bowman-Rutledge said a letter of
apology was being sent to Dunedin this morning regarding the incident.

The player involved had resigned from the team, Mrs Bowman-Rutledge said.

"We have apologised for what happened and hope we can get our credibility
back," she said.

As the case was before the courts she said she was unable to comment further.

Police allege the cake was passed around in a hotel near the Metropolitan
Club where the tournament was held, and eaten by eight or 10 unsuspecting
team members.

The Dunedin Pool Association had earlier demanded that its sister
organisation in Marlborough take action over the cannabis scandal, which it
said blighted an otherwise successful tournament.

Association president Elly Finnerty said the incident was particularly
disappointing as it overshadowed the first win for Otago in the South
Island 8-ball tournament since 1991.

"All that people have heard is that the Marlborough team that came to play
had cake trouble. We have been trying for years to improve the image of pool.

"Sponsors will be really hard to attract after reading about that," Ms
Finnerty said.

"We do view it extremely seriously. With any sport, publicity like that
doesn't help."

Many juniors were involved in the sport, receiving coaching, and their
parents might now be thinking twice, she said.

A self-employed cleaner is due to appear in Dunedin District Court on
November 21 charged with supplying cannabis.