KC Man Accused Of Toad Licking
Toad Venom Used As Hallucinogenic

POSTED: 5:20 pm CST November 13, 2007
UPDATED: 8:08 pm CST November 13, 2007


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A 21-year-old man has been accused of using a toad to get high.

Clay County sheriff's deputies said David Theiss, of Kansas City, possessed a Colorado River toad with the intention of using it as a hallucinogenic.

Experts said it's possible to lick the toad's venom glands to achieve psychedelic effects.

Most pet stores don't sell the Colorado River toad because the venom can sicken humans and kill household animals.

"People used to do it all the time, but it got faded out awhile, but came back as a fad. Not a smart one," animal expert Danny Snyder told KMBC's Dion Lim. "The toxins in it can kill a lot of stuff."

Authorities said this is the first time Clay County has dealt with this sort of hallucinogen.

Theiss was released on bond.

The toad is in custody at a police crime lab.
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