On February 15, legal medical marijuana sales began in the state of Pennsylvania. Ahead of this historic date, key cities throughout the state also voted to decriminalize marijuana possession in places like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and more.
But in an August 2017 traffic stop, police officer Bill Meyers and K9 officer Rex were responsible for apprehending 80 grams of marijuana—and four mysterious bags of chips. They were from a brand called Yummi Karma and clearly labeled as “medical cannabis” chips. There were two potato chip flavors, sour cream and onion, and salt and pepper, along with nacho cheese and zesty ranch tortilla chips.
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The cops had never seen anything like it. So they tested it in the Hempfield state police laboratory to confirm the chips—which, again, had the words “medical cannabis” explicitly written on the bag—were laced with marijuana.
We’re only hearing about the case now because it took state police almost a year to properly analyze the chips and conclude they did, in fact, contain marijuana.
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“Generally when we see edibles, it’s the brownies, cookies, that kind of thing. … This was the first time anybody’s encountered potato chips,” Park Police Cpl. Jason Monyok told TribLive.com. “It probably came from somewhere where the state has decriminalized. … It’s not something you see in these parts.”
Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program does not allow for edible products or the smokable flower; medical patients can only acquire cannabis tinctures, oils, creams, and pills to treat their ailments. In addition, Yummi Karma’s products are only available for purchase in California.
The two individuals pulled over by Pennsylvania police did not explain how they received the product. They received misdemeanor charges of possession and drug paraphernalia, to which they pleaded no contest for probation without verdict and each would go on to serve a year of probation. The defendants’ probation ended in March, according to TribLive.com.
