A Denver medical marijuana dispensary says it is literally trading a ton of joints for a ton of food.

Urban Cannabis, 2383 S. Downing St., is giving out free pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes to qualified medical marijuana patients who bring in four 8-ounce, canned food items.

They hope to raise 2,000 pounds of food items for Denver’s indigent and homeless population. The effort started March 1 and will continue through April 20 or until the 2,000 pound goal has been reached.

So far, the business has collected 330 cans, said Amy DiIullo, sales director for Urban Cannabis.

“We started slow, we’re a small dispensary and we don’t have a budget for advertising so we’ve really depended on world-of-mouth,” DiIullo said. “But we’re slowly building momentun.”

Urban Cannabis is partnering with two local food pantries — A.C.T.S and MetroCareRing — in the effort.

Organizers say this is the most ambitious food drive yet for the cannabis community.

The pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes 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 is regularly features in Full Spectrum Laboratories Best of Category for their cannabidiol strains, such as their premium proprietary strain, Harlequinn.

“We wanted it to be a ‘Pay it Forward’ type of event where we inspire patients and centers to give back to Denver,” said DiIullo. “We are so excited by this opportunity to change the world we live in.”

Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com