Former Colorado Teacher Convicted for Giving Students Marijuana Brownies

A former educator from Colorado, Sharon Wilson, aged 55, was convicted by a jury for her involvement in providing marijuana-infused brownies to two students during an incident at Kepner Beacon Middle School in 2024. The court found her guilty on two counts of misdemeanor child abuse, highlighting the serious implications of her actions towards the welfare of her students.

The two students involved stated that they received the brownies as a reward from Wilson for completing an academic task related to Greek and Latin roots. Neither of them was aware that the treats were laced with a psychoactive substance until they experienced adverse effects after consumption. Notably, Wilson had been a long-serving teacher at Denver Public Schools for more than 22 years and was recognized for regularly bringing baked goods to share with her class.

In a particular case, a 13-year-old student noted that the brownies had an unusual sour taste, prompting him to stash them in his backpack instead of informing Wilson. He later reported that after consuming part of the brownie, he felt disoriented and experienced sudden hunger, leading to excessive eating at home before taking a long nap to recover. Another student, whose age has not been disclosed, claimed that he suspected the brownies contained marijuana from the outset. After eating it, he felt sick and required assistance due to his altered state. His mother became concerned when she noticed his bloodshot eyes and unusual behavior, prompting her to inquire about the ingredients of the brownies with Wilson.

Wilson's attorney maintained that the brownies given to the students were not drug-laced and suggested that prior batches of brownies she had made could have been compromised by freezer burn. Despite admitting to having made marijuana brownies in the past, Wilson firmly denied any wrongdoing. Following the incident, she was placed on paid administrative leave by Denver Public Schools and later departed from the institution before the next academic year began. The court still awaits the setting of a sentencing date, as confirmed by the office of the Denver District Attorney.