Council Keeps Cannahelp Open; May Open Third Dispensary

The Palm Springs City Council has told the owner of the Cannahelp medical marijuana dispensary to return May 5 with an update on his progress in getting the necessary permits.

City officials had accused Stacy Hochanadel of fudging details of its operation before it was awarded the permit in February. On March 4, police and city officials shut down Cannahelp when they found large lamps used to cultivate the plants were not within the city’s code.

A move to suspend the facility’s permit was prompted by the discovery of “several thousand cannabis plants” being grown on the premises before the official opening, according to a city staff report.

Hochanadel said he had a right to grow the plants at the site before it opened based on guidelines set by Attorney General Jerry Brown.

“I’ve not sold anything illegally,” Hochanadel said, adding that the plants were moved to a Lake Elsinore facility.

The City Council also voted 3-2 to begin the process of issuing a third permit to operate a medical marijuana dispensary.

Mayor Steve Pougnet and council members Ginny Foat and Rick Hutcheson voted yes, while Councilmen Chris Mills and Lee Weigel voted no.