The owner of Cajun Cannabis said his arrest last week on drug charges is the result of a continued misunderstanding about the healing effects of CBD oil products that are legal at the federal level, and he never sold illegal products or marijuana.

Travis DeYoung bonded out of jail Monday after his store and car were raided last week. He was arrested on weapons and drug charges, but he said he is not a criminal.

"Eventually, as people, elected officials, and law enforcement are informed and educated about the healing effects of CBD oil, this issue will go away as being controversial," DeYoung said in his first public comments after his arrest. "Morally and ethically, pioneering the legal distribution of federally legal products proven to help people with crippling disabilities is worth the risk."

DeYoung said he will work to educate the public and law enforcement about CBD products and that he plans to reopen his business in the coming days.

"Contrary to what you’ve heard or read, there was absolutely no illegal products or marijuana being sold in the store. Not one person was harmed in the operation of this business. Sixty percent of my customers are 60 and older," DeYoung said in his statement. "All products confiscated out of Cajun Cannabis had zero percent THC."

A federal law passed last year opened up the legal cultivation and sale of hemp products, but it did not remove all restrictions tied to the product. DeYoung's case is an example of how the interpretations of certain restrictions might affect the sale of the products in some states.

CBD is a natural compound that can be extracted from hemp or marijuana. All of the products in Cajun Cannabis are made from hemp, not marijuana, DeYoung said. Nothing sold produces psychoactive effects, unlike THC. Anyone 21 or older can buy the products.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office said its investigation of DeYoung and the store was "thorough and thoughtful."

"The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office understands the importance of protecting the well-being of everyone in Lafayette Parish," spokesman Lt. John Mowell said in a statement, "and will continue to work daily to preserve your safety."

The department followed Louisiana state law and its obligations as a law enforcement agency, according to the statement. It added the sheriff's office will continue to work with the Lafayette Parish District Attorney on the case.

Cajun Cannabis was searched last week by the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office less than a week after the store's opening. Agents cleared the store of products containing CBD.

Michael Domingue, the attorney representing DeYoung, said they respect the sheriff's office and understand the law enforcement officers were doing their job. But he expressed frustration with the charges.

"It's no secret that CBD is sold all over Lafayette," he said. "Is the sheriff's office going to every store and testing their products?"

Lafayette Sheriff Mark Garber said last week the search was a result of multiple citizen complaints about the location, prompting law enforcement to investigate. DeYoung's charges are not the result of a crackdown on hemp-centric businesses in Lafayette Parish, authorities have said.

While searching the Johnston Street business, agents found several items containing CBD and THC and seized one firearm each in DeYoung’s car and at Cajun Cannabis. Both guns were near a “controlled dangerous substance,” which is a felony under Louisiana law. He also is accused of possessing marijuana, CBD and THC products while in the presence of a juvenile, also a felony.

Lafayette Parish Sheriff Mark Garber also claimed his investigators discovered narcotics were being sold outside of the store to undercover operators.

Read DeYoung's entire statement:

"I would like to start off by thanking my Lord, my fiancé, my family, my lawyer, gentlemen of 2B, supporters and customers. "I was fully aware of the risks and I take full responsibility for my actions. "Eventually, as people, elected officials, and law enforcement are informed and educated about the healing effects of CBD oil, this issue will go away as being controversial. "Morally and ethically, pioneering the legal distribution of federally legal products proven to help people with crippling disabilities is worth the risk. "I’m going to continue to focus on education and information about CBD which is a healthy alternative & natural healing substance. "Contrary to what you’ve heard or read, there was absolutely no illegal products or marijuana being sold in the store. Not one person was harmed in the operation of this business. 60% of my customers are 60 and older. "All products confiscated out of Cajun Cannabis had 0% THC. "I have been advised by my attorney that this is still an on going investigation and to limit my statement." Read the LPSO's entire statement: "The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office understands the importance of protecting the well-being of everyone in Lafayette Parish, and will continue to work daily to preserve your safety. "From start to finish, the sheriff’s office conducted a thorough and thoughtful investigation. This case directly followed the path laid out by Louisiana state law, and the obligations of our law enforcement agency. "Moving forward, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office will continue to assist our partners at the District Attorney’s Office and in the courts with this case, as we do with every investigation, as they fulfill their legal responsibilities."

Contact Ashley White at adwhite@theadvertiser.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.