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Owner Of Dispensary Allegedly Trying To Get Around Pot Laws Arrested

DENVER (CBS4) - It bills itself as a caregiver for medical marijuana patients in need -- they give away marijuana and all they hope for in return is a donation. But now one of the operators is under arrest as two police departments are investigating what's called "Okiebudz."

Okiebudz was operating out of a home in southeast Denver, but has since moved after complaints made by neighbors to their councilman led to a raid.

UNLICENSED POT SHOP Okiebudz
Okiebudz (credit: CBS)

Okiebudz has no license to operate as a dispensary, but the owners claimed they don't need one because they are registered caregivers.

"People coming in and out of home, leaving with brown bags," Councilman Charlie Brown said.

Police found a price list for cheaper than normal pot on a website for Okiebudz. That site indicated Okiebudz had a new address and they deliver. It's now located in Englewood. When CBS4's Rick Sallinger went inside one of the operators said they were not offering pot for sale.

"If we had been selling marijuana wouldn't they have arrested us?" Brent Thompson with Okiebudz said.

CBS4 had someone go inside the store as a customer. That person was told they had to talk to a caregiver, and as long as they had an over 21 ID or a marijuana registry card they could obtain pot there.

Operators insisted they are simply medical marijuana caregivers who gift pot in return for donations.

"No charges have been filed, that's what's happened, that's the investigation -- there is no investigation," Chad Thompson with Okiebudz said. "They took all my stuff, my money, my medical cannabis that all belonged to me, and they still have it."

At the house where Chad Thompson lived nearly 180 plants were found inside and eight ounces of pot.

"So you're perfectly within the law?" Sallinger asked Chad Thompson.

"Absolutely, 100 percent; come check us out anytime," he replied.

Shortly after Sallinger talked with him, Chad Thompson was arrested by Denver police on charges possession of marijuana with intent to distribute it. Englewood police are now investigating as well.

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