New Orleans Police Department headquarters, plagued by mould and cockroaches, now faces a new challenge: rats high on marijuana.
Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick revealed that the vermin have infiltrated the evidence room and have been eating confiscated marijuana.
"The rats eating our marijuana," she informed city council members, adding "they're all high."
The police headquarters, which has served as the department's base since 1968, is reportedly in a severe state of neglect. Kirkpatrick described the uncleanliness as "off the charts," with rat droppings discovered on officers' desks.
Experts Surprised by Rats' Taste for Cannabis
Ron Harrison, global technical director for Orkin Pest Control, expressed his surprise at hearing about rats consuming marijuana.
Regarding their experiences, he informed The Associated Press that the rats might undergo effects similar to those in humans, depending on what form the cannabis was in.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, individuals typically feel relaxation and euphoria, alongside changes in perception.
"From understanding the biology of the rat and how it's somewhat similar to us, I would think based on the amount or concentration they take in, it would be somewhat similar to what humans experience," Mr Harrison said.
