| Photo: Westword |
| Dave Crook and Amy DiIullo of Urban Cannabis with donated food items |
’Cans For Cones’ Turns To Controversy
A Denver medical marijuana dispensary says it is literally trading a ton of joints for a ton of food. But one local charity turned down the food donation offered by Urban Cannabis because of its connection to marijuana.
Urban Cannabis said it is giving out free pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes to qualified medical marijuana patients who bring in four or more (8-ounce) canned food items. Monday marked a high point for the food drive, according to the dispensary, which said it collected 250 pounds of food in eight hours.
Located on 2383 South Downing Street in Denver, Urban Cannabis says it aims to raise 2,000 pounds of food items for Denver’s indigent and homeless population. The organization had intended to donate the proceeds of its food drive to two local food pantries: Metro CareRing and A.C.T.S.
But on Monday, MetroCareRing terminated their donation relationship with Urban Cannabis due to objections from several donors from “faith-based” organizations and conservative groups after an article announcing the food drive ran in the Denver Post.
In a classic case of cutting off its nose to spite its face, MetroCareRing has turned down the opportunity to collect more than 1,000 pounds of food due to some of their donors’ opposition to any affiliation with a medical marijuana center.
The food drive, titled “Cans for Cones,” began March 1 and will continue through April 20, or until the 2,000-pound goal has been reached, according to Urban Cannabis.
A.C.T.S. representatives on Tuesday picked up more than 500 pounds of food from Urban Cannabis, which says this is the most ambitious food drive to date for the cannabis community.
“And the goal is still 1500 lbs away,” Urban Cannabis added in a press release.
The pre-rolled joints contain the center’s organic homegrown strains such as Chem Dawg, Headband, Green Candy, and Cherry Kola. Each one is rolled by hand and new batches are rolled daily.
Urban Cannabis said it is regularly featured in Full Spectrum Laboratories’ Best of Category for their cannabidiol strains, such as their premium proprietary strain, Harlequin, which has 10.8 percent CBD, according to the dispensary’s website.
“We wanted it to be a ‘pay it forward’ type of event where we inspire patients and centers to give back to Denver,” said Urban Cannabis Sales Director Amy DiIullo. “We are so excited by this opportunity to change the world we live in. Pay it forward a ‘ton’ with Urban Cannabis.”
Patients are encouraged to bring as many cans as possible with a 16-can limit per visit, and non-patients can participate by donating food items at the Urban Cannabis reception area or directly to A.C.T.S.
Urban Cannabis describes itself as “a professional, discrete Medical Marijuana dispensary in the Harvard Gulch neighborhood in Denver.”
“Focusing on superior quality and personalized patient care, Urban Cannabis staff provide an informative, safe and supportive healing environment for Medical Marijuana patients of Colorado,” the dispensary said in a press release.