BOULDER — Two University of Colorado at Boulder students are facing multiple felony charges after they allegedly fed marijuana-laced brownies to their unsuspecting history class — leading to the hospitalization of three people.

The professor of the course was taken to a hospital by paramedics Friday after complaining of dizziness and dropping in and out of consciousness.

“Anybody who thinks this is cute, anybody who thinks this was funny, is going to face pretty serious sanctions, both criminally and potentially within the student-conduct process,” said CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard.

Thomas Ricardo Cunningham, 21, and Mary Elizabeth Essa, 19, baked THC-laced brownies for their class at the Hellems Arts and Sciences Building on Friday, said Ryan Huff, CU police spokesman.

After the professor was taken to the hospital, a student’s mother notified campus police that her daughter, who had been in the professor’s class, was in the hospital after having a panic attack.

Later that day, the parents of another student in the same class took their daughter to a hospital after she told them she felt like she would black out.

Eight people out of the class of 12 fell ill from the brownies.

The names of the professor and students were not released by the police.

Police said it was clear that the students’ intent was to have the unsuspecting class consume the brownies.

“There could be prison time involved in this case,” Huff said.

The charges include second- degree assault and inducing consumption of controlled substances by fraudulent means.

The brownies were brought as part of a “bring food to class” day. Police said the brownies and some orange juice were the only items brought to class.

It is not clear what the relationship there is between Cunningham and Essa, other than that they are in the history class together.

Police said they did not know how potent the brownies were but did say it appeared they contained just a THC product.

Cunningham and Essa are being held without bail at the Boulder County jail, Huff said.

As the investigation continues, the two could face suspension or expulsion from CU, officials said.

All three victims who were taken to the hospital had been released by Sunday, police said.

“This is something that we take very seriously,” Huff said. “These are serious felony cases.”

The campus will not ban food from classrooms in light of the incident, said CU spokesman Hilliard

The incident comes a month after voters passed Amendment 64, which makes it legal for people over age 21 to possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use.

The CU incident should have no bearing on the law or its aim, said Mason Tvert, a leader of the campaign to pass the amendment.

“This is illegal behavior,” Tvert said. “That would be like going back to Prohibition because some college kids spiked the punch.”

No matter what the two students may have thought they were doing, Huff said, their actions were in no way a prank.

“It’s felony activity,” he said. “That’s why we take it seriously and will continue to take it seriously.”

The Boulder County district attorney will review the case, at which time Cunningham and Essa may each face more than 10 felonies, Huff said.

Huff and Hilliard said they had never experienced a case like this before.

Ryan Parker: 303-954-2409, rparker@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ryanparkerdp