Authorities reported that eight teenagers fell “acutely ill” and were hospitalized after consuming marijuana edibles during a field trip to the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles.
The incident unfolded when an on-site security officer discovered the affected male and female students and promptly called 911 around 2:30 p.m. PT on Tuesday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
“LAFD Paramedics arrived swiftly to find each individual experiencing an altered level of consciousness, following their reported ingestion of cannabis edibles,” stated LAFD in a release.
The eight teenagers were subsequently transported by ambulance to nearby hospitals in fair condition for further evaluation, as confirmed by LAFD.
Details regarding the school affiliation of the students remain unclear at this time.
In response to the incident, the La Brea Tar Pits issued a statement expressing that the high school students were on a supervised field trip to the renowned paleontological research site when they fell ill. The statement further asserted that their staff acted promptly to assess the situation and seek medical assistance.
“According to first responders, their symptoms were caused by something the students ingested on their own, unrelated to their visit to La Brea Tar Pits,” the statement continued. “We extend our care and concern to the students and their families and wish them a healthy recovery.”