Ryan Vondra

Ryan Vondra, 36, of Cody was charged last week with misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance in two separate forms (plant and liquid), being under the influence of a controlled substance and interference with a police officer. 

During his arraignment on Friday, Vondra claimed the substances were not illegal but were instead CBD, which is federally legal and sold in Cody. 

According to an affidavit written by Officer Steven Bassett of the Cody Police Department, contact was initially made with Vondra when the Cody Police Department received reports of a disturbance at the Silver Dollar Bar in Cody.

Dispatch advised that two males were outside and the instigating party was shirtless and screaming, Bassett said in the affidavit.

When Bassett identified himself at the scene, Vondra was “screaming profanities towards the crowd,” according to the affidavit. 

Vondra swore at Bassett when he was told to stop and left the scene. Despite orders from the officer to stop, Vondra continued to walk west on Sheridan Ave and onto 13th street toward a vehicle.

According to his affidavit, Bassett took Vondra to the ground because he was afraid he would attempt to drive the vehicle under the influence. 

Additional officers arrived on scene to assist Bassett. Officer Rachael Boydston had “collected Vondra’s black backpack which was in [her] immediate control, for safekeeping.” 

Boydston was in the process of logging it when she located a black case that held a bag with a “green leafy substance,” a pipe that possibly contained marijuana residue and a “Kush Delta 8 Vape pen.”

Delta 8 THC is currently federally legal and is psychoactive, according to the Food and Drug Administration website. The site also confirms that Delta 8 is “typically manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD).”

Based on the affidavit, it is unclear if the “green leafy substance” was Delta 8. The Cody Police Department did not respond by press time regarding questions about the nature of the substance.

Delta 8 is a controversial substance that is illegal in some states.  However, it is Delta 9 THC that produces the high that people experience when using cannabis, according to the FDA website. 

Steven Bronko is the manager of uBlaze Vapor LLC in Cody, which sells Delta 8.  He confirmed that despite being a THC, “with it being a hemp derivative, (Delta 8) is legalized under the 2018 farm bill.” 

Bronko also emphasized that it is an “over 21 product.”

During the arraignment, Vondra said the officers were “incompetent” for arresting him with something that is “legal in this city and this state.”

Vondra is currently held at the Park County Detention Center on a $5,000 cash or surety bond, due to a prior history involving a burglary conviction and the nature of the interference with Cody police. 

The terms of Vondra’s bond do not allow him to use marijuana or similar substances even in legal states.