- Accidental THC Infusion: Famous Yeti’s Pizza in Wisconsin accidentally served THC-infused pizzas, surprising customers with unexpected psychoactive effects.
- THC and High-Fat Foods: THC binds strongly with fats, creating a more intense and lasting high when consumed in fatty foods like pizza.
- Slow but Potent Effects: Unlike smoking, where effects kick in within minutes, edibles take longer but result in stronger, sustained effects due to how THC is metabolized.
- Unexpected Source: The THC contamination was traced back to oil stored in a shared kitchen, also used by a vendor who produces THC-infused brownies.
- A Learning Moment: This incident highlights the differences in how cannabis interacts with food compared to alcohol, with fats increasing THC’s effects instead of reducing them.
In a twist no one saw coming, a pizza shop in Wisconsin, Famous Yeti’s Pizza, found itself at the center of a bizarre story. Patrons at the popular spot reported feeling strange after enjoying their slices, and soon, the unexpected culprit was revealed: THC oil, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, had somehow made its way into the pizzas.
“This is incredibly serious to us, and we can’t imagine anything worse than betraying the faith our customers have in us to provide a product made with utmost care and concern,” said Cale Ryan, co-owner of Famous Yeti’s, in a heartfelt Facebook post on October 25. “If we’ve lost your trust and you decide never to return, I completely understand.”
The shop identified the mix-up on October 22 and 23, realizing that THC-infused oil had been used in around 71 orders, leading to a food experience no one anticipated.
Why Does THC in Pizza Pack Such a Punch?
While eating raw cannabis won’t cause a high, things change when it’s cooked, explains Darin Erickson from the University of Minnesota’s Cannabis Research Center. In edibles, like the accidental THC pizza, cannabis is often infused into fats or oils, which are then used as ingredients in various foods. This method activates the THC, making it effective when ingested.
Here’s where it gets even more interesting: THC is absorbed faster and more intensely when combined with fatty foods. “Eating high-fat foods can make edibles stronger” said Erickson. Unlike smoking, where effects are felt in just a few minutes, ingesting THC takes longer — up to an hour — but often results in a longer, more intense high.
How Fat Affects Cannabis Absorption
Tory Spindle, a psychiatry professor at Johns Hopkins University, explains that fats increase cannabinoid absorption, meaning THC-rich oils create stronger effects than those found in non-fatty carriers. The interaction of THC with food is almost the opposite of alcohol, where food generally reduces its effects.
“This increased absorption means that a person would feel stronger effects than if the THC was suspended in something that was not fatty,” Spindle explains. This distinction can catch people off guard, especially those unfamiliar with how edibles work.
The Source of the Mix-Up
Famous Yeti’s shares a commercial kitchen space with other vendors, one of whom produces THC-infused brownies. Ryan knew about this vendor but didn’t initially suspect THC was behind the reports of “strange reactions” to the pizza. At first, he assumed it might be due to a contaminated ingredient, like spinach, or even a possible carbon monoxide leak, which prompted a check from the local fire department.
When the truth came out, it was clear that a simple mix-up in the shared kitchen led to a very unusual dining experience. And while recreational cannabis isn’t yet legal in Wisconsin, this incident has brought attention to the role of fat in amplifying THC’s effects in unexpected ways.
This story is a unique reminder of the unexpected twists that can happen in the culinary world and how science plays a role even in our daily meals. For Famous Yeti’s Pizza, it’s a lesson in quality control — and for the rest of us, it’s an interesting look at the unexpected effects that can come from the foods we eat.