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Pizza restaurant serves marijuana-tainted food to unwitting customers

Wisconsin Pizza Parlor Scandal: Diners Unknowingly Served Marijuana-Infused Meals in Bizarre Culinary Mix-Up

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – In a shocking turn of events that has left patrons reeling and authorities scrambling, a popular pizza joint in the heart of Wisconsin has been accused of secretly lacing its food with marijuana, turning what should have been casual dinners into unintended highs. The incident, which unfolded at Gino's Pizzeria in the quaint town of Green Bay, has sparked widespread outrage, legal debates, and a flurry of investigations into food safety and cannabis regulations. What began as a routine evening out for families and friends quickly escalated into a public health concern, highlighting the blurred lines between recreational experimentation and outright deception in an era where marijuana legalization is rapidly evolving across the United States.

The story broke on July 31, 2025, when local health officials received multiple reports from diners who experienced unexpected symptoms after eating at Gino's. According to eyewitness accounts and official statements from the Green Bay Police Department, at least a dozen customers complained of dizziness, euphoria, paranoia, and in some cases, severe nausea following their meals. One patron, a 45-year-old mother of two named Sarah Jenkins, described her ordeal in vivid detail: "We ordered our usual pepperoni pizza and garlic knots. About an hour later, I felt like the room was spinning. My kids were giggling uncontrollably, and I panicked thinking we'd been poisoned." Jenkins wasn't alone; similar stories poured in from others who had dined at the establishment that week, prompting an immediate raid by authorities.

Investigators from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the local police descended on Gino's Pizzeria, a family-owned spot that had been a community staple for over two decades. What they uncovered was a clandestine operation hidden in plain sight. Hidden in the kitchen's storage area, officers found jars of what appeared to be homemade cannabis-infused olive oil and butter, cleverly labeled as "special herbs" to evade suspicion. Lab tests later confirmed that these substances contained high levels of THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana. The pizzeria's owner, 52-year-old Antonio Rossi, along with two kitchen staff members, were arrested on charges including food tampering, distribution of a controlled substance, and endangering public health. Rossi, a lifelong resident of Green Bay with no prior criminal record, claimed in his initial statement that the infusions were meant for "personal use" and had accidentally made their way into customer orders. However, evidence suggested otherwise, with digital records showing bulk purchases of marijuana from underground sources.

The scale of the operation was staggering. Authorities estimate that over the course of several months, hundreds of unsuspecting customers may have consumed the laced food. Gino's menu, featuring classics like deep-dish pizzas, calzones, and pasta dishes, was particularly susceptible to contamination due to the use of oils and sauces in nearly every item. One particularly alarming detail emerged from the investigation: the marijuana was not just sprinkled haphazardly but integrated into recipes with precision, suggesting a deliberate attempt to enhance flavors or perhaps even to create a niche appeal without disclosure. "This wasn't a one-off mistake," said Detective Maria Gonzalez, lead investigator on the case. "We found recipes modified to include cannabis extracts, and staff admitted to experimenting with 'elevated' dishes during slow hours."

Customer reactions have been a mix of fury, confusion, and in some cases, reluctant amusement. Social media exploded with hashtags like #PotPizzaGate and #HighOnPie, where affected diners shared their stories. A local father, Mark Thompson, recounted how his teenage son, who has a history of anxiety, suffered a panic attack after eating a slice. "We thought it was just bad cheese or something," Thompson said. "Now we're dealing with the aftermath of an illegal drug exposure." On the flip side, a group of college students who dined there jokingly praised the "unexpected buzz" but quickly sobered up when realizing the legal and health risks involved. Health experts warn that such exposures can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, or those with underlying conditions, potentially leading to hospitalizations or long-term psychological effects.

This scandal arrives at a pivotal moment for Wisconsin's cannabis landscape. While recreational marijuana remains illegal in the state, medical use has been permitted since 2014 under strict guidelines, and neighboring states like Illinois and Michigan have fully legalized it, creating a patchwork of regulations that some say encourages underground activities. Advocates for legalization argue that incidents like this underscore the need for comprehensive reform. "If marijuana were regulated like alcohol, we could ensure safe, labeled products and prevent these kinds of deceptions," noted Emily Carter, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Cannabis Reform Coalition. Opponents, however, point to the Gino's case as evidence of the dangers of normalization, fearing it could erode public trust in food establishments.

Delving deeper into the backstory, Gino's Pizzeria wasn't always under scrutiny. Founded in 2003 by Rossi's father, an Italian immigrant, the restaurant built its reputation on authentic recipes passed down through generations. Rossi took over in 2015, steering the business through economic ups and downs, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many eateries to adapt or close. Insiders speculate that financial pressures may have played a role in Rossi's alleged experimentation. "The restaurant industry is cutthroat," said local business owner Lisa Patel. "With rising costs and competition from delivery apps, some owners get desperate." Reports indicate that Gino's had been struggling with declining sales, and whispers of "secret menu" items for select customers had circulated in local forums, though nothing was confirmed until now.

The legal ramifications are unfolding rapidly. Rossi faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charges, with his staff potentially receiving lighter sentences for cooperation. The pizzeria has been shuttered indefinitely, its neon "Open" sign now a relic of better days. Civil lawsuits are already piling up, with affected customers seeking damages for medical bills, emotional distress, and lost wages. One class-action suit, led by Jenkins and Thompson, claims the restaurant violated consumer protection laws by failing to disclose ingredients, drawing parallels to infamous food contamination cases like the 2015 Chipotle E. coli outbreak.

Beyond the courtroom, this incident raises broader questions about food integrity in America. In an age where dietary trends like CBD-infused products are booming – legally available in many states – the line between innovation and illegality is razor-thin. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about unregulated cannabis edibles, noting that without proper oversight, consumers are at risk. "Marijuana in food isn't just about getting high; it's a public safety issue," explained Dr. Raj Patel, a toxicologist at the University of Wisconsin. "THC can interact with medications, exacerbate mental health issues, or cause impaired driving, which we've seen in several reports from Gino's patrons."

Community response has been swift and varied. Green Bay's mayor, Elena Vasquez, held a press conference condemning the actions and pledging stricter inspections for local restaurants. "Our residents deserve to eat without fear," she stated. Meanwhile, cannabis enthusiasts have used the scandal to push for education rather than prohibition. Online petitions calling for Rossi's leniency have garnered thousands of signatures, arguing that his intentions might have been misguided but not malicious.

As the dust settles, Gino's Pizzeria serves as a cautionary tale in the ongoing saga of America's relationship with marijuana. What started as a simple pizza craving has morphed into a complex web of legal, ethical, and social threads. For the diners affected, the experience lingers like an unwanted aftertaste – a reminder that not everything on the menu is as it seems. Authorities continue to urge anyone who dined at Gino's in recent months to come forward, as the full extent of the exposure remains unknown. In Wisconsin, where cheese curds and bratwurst reign supreme, this pot-laced pizza scandal has undeniably left a bitter flavor in the mouths of many.

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Read the Full USA Today Article at:
[ https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/31/pizza-joint-wisconsin-restaurant-served-pot-marijuana-food/85461663007/ ]