The Dunedin Pool Association wants its sister organisation in Marlborough to take action over a cannabis scandal it says blighted an otherwise successful tournament in Dunedin at the weekend.
Association president Elly Finnerty said the incident was particularly disappointing as it overshadowed the first win for Otago in the South Island8-ball tournament since 1991.
"All that people have heard is that the Marlborough team that came to play had cake trouble," Ms Finnerty said.
A 36-year-old Blenheim woman was arrested after four members of the Marlborough team were treated at Dunedin Hospital after eating a cake allegedly containing cannabis.
Police allege the cake was passed around in a hotel near the Metropolitan Club where the tournament was held, and eaten by eight or 10 unsuspecting team members.
Ms Finnerty said she would write to the Marlborough association and expected to see players banned if the cake allegations proved correct.
"We have been trying for years to improve the image of pool. Sponsors will be really hard to attract after reading about that," she said. "We do view it extremely seriously. With any sport, publicity like that doesn't help."
Many juniors were involved in the sport, and their parents might now be thinking twice, Ms Finnerty said.
A self-employed cleaner is due to appear in Dunedin District Court on November 21 charged with supplying cannabis.
