Dunsmuir, CA (June 7, 2026) – The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) continues to investigate an incident at Dunsmuir Elementary School where a teacher and multiple students were hospitalized after consuming homemade cookies containing THC.
According to the SCSO press release dated June 5, school officials contacted authorities on Tuesday, June 2, reporting that on Monday, June 1, a teacher left cookies out in a common classroom area during a morning break. Later that day, the teacher and several students became ill and were taken to a local hospital for evaluation. Hospital tests confirmed the presence of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the affected individuals, and preliminary analysis by SCSO verified THC in some of the cookies.
All hospitalized students and the teacher have since been released. Detectives are following up with families to assess the full scope of exposure. A complaint has been filed with the District Attorney’s Office for review. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Thomas at (530) 841-2900.
Community Reactions and Context
Public comments on the SCSO Facebook post reflect widespread concern among parents and locals. Some drew parallels to a prior fentanyl exposure incident at another local elementary school (Gazelle or Grenada), noting the seriousness of unintended drug exposures on campus. Others called for stricter rules on homemade food brought to school, suggesting only store-bought or licensed bakery items to prioritize safety.
One commenter (Aimee Campbell Tara) referenced details from initial reports indicating the teacher’s husband has cancer and that the cookies were made accidentally with cannabis edibles intended for him. She noted it appears to have been a significant mistake, though the teacher may face professional consequences.
Another shared a personal story from an after-school program where a volunteer’s wife mistakenly brought “special brownies” meant for a stage-4 cancer patient, leading to employees getting high and highlighting the risks of accepting homemade items. That program subsequently banned non-packaged snacks.
Broader Implications
This incident raises questions about school safety protocols for shared food, especially in an era when cannabis products are more common for medical use. Siskiyou News will continue monitoring the investigation for updates on the DA’s review and any policy changes at the school.
