By Natalie Colarossi
Staff Writer
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A Canadian soldier is facing over a dozen charges after she allegedly served cannabis-laced cupcakes to an artillery unit during a live-fire training exercise without their consent.
Bombardier Chelsea Cogswell allegedly fed the treats to her artillery unit in July 2018 at an army combat training facility in New Brunswick, Canada, according to court documents obtained by Newsweek.
At the time, Cogswell was serving as an army gunner and working at the canteen during an intensive three-week combat training scenario with the Royal Canadian Artillery School. Cogswell, who has served in the army's regular forces since June 2011, allegedly prepared the cupcakes and distributed them to colleagues without disclosing their contents.
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Cogswell is now facing 18 charges: eight counts of administering a noxious substance, nine counts of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline, and one count of behaving in a disgraceful manner, the Canadian Department of National Defense told Newsweek Friday.
According to the court documents, almost all of the soldiers who ate Cogswell's cupcakes experienced a sudden onset of paranoia, fatigue and confusion and were unable to properly handle weaponry.
"Several affected members were allegedly unable to properly execute safe weapons and explosive handling drills," a military judge's summary of the charges said.
"All the members of W Battery who consumed the cupcakes, except one, allegedly experienced symptoms which included dehydration, overheating, fatigue, confusion, dry mouth and paranoia," the court records added. "That afternoon, the affected members were treated by a medical technician and the military police were called."
...
The incident marked the first time that a Canadian Armed Forces member has been charged with administering marijuana substances to unsuspecting colleagues, the Office of the Judge Advocate General told CVT News.
"A review of our court-martial records indicate that this is the first time a member has faced a court-martial for allegedly administering cannabis to colleagues without their consent," office spokesperson Wendy Wharton told the news outlet.
Cogswell was not serving in a supervisory role with the artillery school at the time of the incident. To date, she remains a Canadian Armed Forces member.
The court-martial is scheduled to begin in August in New Brunswick. If found guilty, Cogswell could face a maximum sentence of imprisonment not exceeding two years or lesser punishment, the Canadian Department of National Defense told Newsweek.
So far, none of the allegations against Cogswell have been proved or tested in court, and she remains innocent until proved guilty.
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