The owner of Perth café Disputing Charge Bada Bing has pleaded not guilty to serving a young family a marijuana-laced brownie.

On March 2, the family’s children reportedly began to hallucinate after eating a brownie at the WA café Disputing Charge. They were taken to the hospital, where they tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The mother also tested positive for THC shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Café owner Nathan Sharp was charged by the City of Stirling with two offences under the Food Act 2008 for selling unsuitable food and could face penalties of $40,000 (individual) and $200,00 (body corporate).

Sharp appeared in Perth Magistrates Court in July, where he pleaded not guilty.

Sharp believes this incident has not affected the café’s business and will fight the charges.

“I would just like to say thank you to the local community for their time over the last couple of weeks and their ongoing support,” he told reporters outside the court.

“We look forward to defending these charges in due course.”

Sharp will appear in court this September for a trial allocation hearing.