Colorado town finds THC in its water

HUGO, Colo. – Bottled water is being distributed to residents of the small Colorado town of Hugo as officials investigate the possibility that a marijuana chemical has contaminated the water supply.

Officials announced Thursday that some field tests had found THC, marijuana’s psychoactive ingredient, in the water, but they were awaiting the results of more definitive laboratory tests Friday.

State health officials say it’s too soon to know whether THC in the water would intoxicate people who drink it. Residents have been warned not to drink the town’s water or use it to shower for now.

There have been no reports of illnesses or any symptoms of impairment from drinking the water, officials said at a news conference Thursday evening.

THC commonly must be heated to have an intoxicating effect and that’s why weed is commonly smoked or burned in oil, not eaten raw.

There are no commerical marijuana operations or retail marijuana stores, in Hugo, about 100 miles southeast of Denver.

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Colorado town finds THC in its water."