A Wyoming college student on spring break ate a legally purchased marijuana cookie from a Colorado recreational pot shop and later jumped to his death according to the Associated Press. Levy Thamba Pongi, 19, is a native of the Republic of Congo and was a student at Northwest College in Powell, Wyo. Pongi jumped from a motel balcony March 11. An autopsy report gives marijuana intoxication as a “significant contributing factor.” This is first time the Denver medical examiner has listed edible marijuana as a contributor to a death, Michelle Weiss-Samaras, a spokeswoman for the office, told AP.
Pongi’s friends told investigators that Pongi began acting hostile after he ate the cookie. He reportedly began pulling things off walls and speaking erratically, the autopsy report said. AP notes that the three friends attempted to calm Pongi and believed that their attempts were successful until he went to the balcony and jumped over the railing, according to the report. Colorado law bans the sale of recreational marijuana products to people under 21. Authorities said one of Pongi’s friends was old enough to buy the cookie from a pot shop. It was unclear whether the friend might face charges.
“The Northwest College campus community continues to grieve after Levy’s death,” Pongi’s college said in a statement. “All of us were deeply saddened by this tragic incident and feel for his family.” AP reports that Pongi started taking classes as an exchange student in January. He was studying engineering. Denver police ruled the death an accident but said their investigation remains open.
