POOL PLAYERS POT MORE THAN THEY PLANNED

It wasn't just the baize that was green for a "dazed and confused"
group of Marlborough pool players who ended up in Dunedin Hospital
yesterday.

Indeed, the highs and lows of their weekend's pool competition in
Dunedin were higher and lower than usual after a cake laced with
cannabis was passed around during post-play socialising.

Dunedin police Acting Sergeant Keith Newell said only the cake's baker
knew of the extra ingredient and four of the "eight or 10 middle-aged
people" who ate it reacted badly.

"They weren't expecting it, then had a reaction, were pretty alarmed,
and an ambulance was called," he said.

The pool players were in Dunedin to compete in the South Island 8-Ball
Interprovincial Pool Tournament at the Dunedin Metropolitan Club.

The Marlborough players had moved on to another Dunedin watering hole
when they were offered the cake.

"The whole cake was eaten," Acting Sgt Newell said.

"There is no evidence of the cake. It was all consumed."

The Marlborough team had potted without much luck during the
competition, finishing behind Otago and Canterbury, before indulging
in the potluck snack.

Possible charges in relation to the incident are supplying cannabis
and stupefying.

A 36-year-old Marlborough woman was last night helping police with
their inquiries.