HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/11/2012 - STAFF REPORTS - 5.D. 505 East Industrial Plc Suite A
Palm SpHngs,CA 92264
A Safe Access
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012
To: Mayor Poughnet, Mayor Pro Tern Ginny Foat, Councilmen, City Staff and members of the Palm Springs
Community.
The Following Collectives and Cooperatives on similar model to what we are proposing. These
collectives and cooperatives are "Successful and Proven Models"which have,served as models to our
design.
1. Harbor Side Health Center-http://www.harborsidehealtheenter-com
2. Sparc - http://www.sparesf.org/
3. Peace In Medicine Healing Center-http://www.peaceimnedicine.org
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" DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING SERVICES
Cq<IFOR��P MEMORANDUM
Date: March, 20, 2012
To: Craig A. Ewing, AICP Director of Planning
From: Ken Lyon, Associate Planner
Subject: Medical Cannabis Letters of Interest from 2009 applicants
Today was the deadline given to the nine applicants who submitted medical cannabis
applications back in 2009, to express interest in resubmitting an application for the currently
available third cannabis permit.
The following previous applicants have expressed written interest in going through a second
application review process:
• Cannahelp Corporation (Stacy Hochanadel)
• Palm Springs Compassionate Care (Janice Hardoon)
• Herbal Solutions (Mark Adams)
• CAPS Collective (Jacob Malul)
No response was received from
• Farmacy Collective (Joanna LaForce),
• Happy Relief Center Collective (J Matthew Range[),
• Greenway Nature Care Center(James Villegas)
• West Valley Patients Collective (Lillian Lazarin),
• Desert Valley Patients Collective (Pablo Carlo)
Lastly, a letter was received from Mr. Michael Rice, owner of the building at 505 Industrial
Place, asking for consideration of a new applicant, Alice Jensen of P.S. Safe Access. Mr. Rice
owns the building where Cannahelp was previously located.
Attachments: Letters of interest
Letter from Ewing to applicants dated March 14, 2012
3200 E. TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262
TEL: (760) 323-8245 FAX: (760) 322-8360 E-MAIL: KEN.LYONgPALMSPRINGS-CA.GOY
04/10/2012 09:35 17803291257 SUPER LIQUOR 42341 P. 001/0o1
April 99 2012 APR 1 0 2012
Indio Free Press
_ (second in a series) presents *sponsored by
Jefferson Media
California's War on/of Medical:
:Marijuana (Do you know the way to San Jose?)
The recent political bust of a marijuana educational facility in Oakland
showed how desperate the PEA hays become by emotionally destroying medical
marijuana symbols . instead of going after the 10,,000 plus medical marijuana
dispensaries in this state. This very brief demonstration of public intimida-
tion is an indication the DFA is spending its time and resources chasing after
counterfit prescription medicines and trying its best to keep a lid on the
boiling drug war which it. conducting business as usual;with inherited powers of
prohibition.. The California Supreme Court, with the loss of its Chief Justice
is now powerless; California's Legislature is Politically crippled by the '
inevitable marijuana event; cities have illegally outlawed dispensaries while
turning a blind eye to the mass prolifiration of marijuana dispensaries and . .
taking the political occasion to bust one or two here or there to satisfy a
fast disappearing breed of emotional drug warriors who are now fast coming to
their senses.
The first California City to come to its senses is San .rose which,, two years
ago, engaged a Jeffersonian Decree by finding federal -and state laws, regarding
marajuana4as inept and "unworkable"', With the powers granted by the spirit of
the Revolutionary President, the City of San Jose "abolished'., the federal and
state laws and im emented its owu effective laws, ,ex as was intended by
Thomas JeHersoni Uft this fashion the nation was founded: From the bottom upt )
San Jose has become California's 3rd. largest eity behind Sar Diego and LA,
and tenth largest in the .nation with a. populatiom of over one million, serving
as the unofficial capitol of. Silicon Vailey, one of the richest regions in the
state .with worldwide markets' - as financial generator. Even before the abrupt
disappearance of state redevelopment funds, the City of San Jose introduced
and passed s_i=1V xrItlen ordinance allowing dispensaries to operate within
city limits in exchange for a "7% Marijuana Business Tax" which, between "March
and July 2011 generated 81.6 Milliai3" paid d e to the City of San Jass.
The 01ty officially claims it has "3n excess�o �105 collectives" of which
"80% are compliant" in paying the fee. This investigator suspects the city of
1 .3 million has closer to 500 dispensaries or even more. One may assess if all
clinics pay their marijuana business tax, at this rate the city would collect
$10Mil,lion between March and July! (Apparently, the. eity does not enforce the
likely controversial effort to collect these voluntary fees)
Sven more incredible is the fact the city "repealed'* this law in February of
this year, but continues to collect voluntary fees with much appreciations It
would appear the repeal. of the law would make. all the dispensaries comalia�t�
andmore likely to encourage even more vo�ary contributions, in addition it
also presented a comforting image to state and federal authorities which, In
their deteriorated position of authority, welcome what publically appears as a
backing out by San Jose, when in fact it is another step forward by allowing
these businesses .ta run as eohstitutionai capitalist enterprises created by
simple market demand iri unprecedented overwhelming fashion!
The City of San Jose is careful in warning its marijuana dispensaries that
by paying the 7% fee does NOT legalize the dispensaries; it does, however,
afford a very comfortable alliance for both the Good Government of San dose
and the budding marijuana industry. (pun Intended) .
There is now a timely opprtunity for all California cities to do what the
City of San Jose has done. Thomas Jefferson noted that opportunities are oftet
missed because they are dressed in cover-alls, and look like work. The work
done by the Good Government of San Jose lays the groundwork, a template, from
which to realize "There s gold in them thar hzllsil
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<.faR��P CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: maps" 44a NEW BUSINESS
SUBJECT: DISPOSITION OF AVAILABLE PERMIT TO OPERATE A MEDICAL
MARIJUANA COLLECTIVE / COOPERATIVE
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Department of Planning Services
SUMMARY
On February 6, 2012, the City Manager revoked the medical cannabis regulatory permit
for Cannahelp Corporation. On appeal, the City Council upheld the revocation on
March 7, 2012. The City Council now has the opportunity to determine whether to
award the available permit to a qualified collective or cooperative. At its option, the
Council may limit consideration to those applicants which submitted in 2009, invite new
applicants to apply for the permit, or decline to re-issue the permit.
RECOMMENDATION:
Direct staff to solicit updated applications from those 2009 applicants who have
indicated an interest in the available permit.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Following revocation of the Cannahelp permit, and responding to Council direction of
March 7, 2012, staff contacted the nine non-permitted applicants from 2009:
- Cannahelp - Desert Valley Patients Collective
- Farmacy Collective Association
- West Valley Patients Cooperative - Greenway Nature Care Center
- Happy Relief Center Collective - CAPS Collective Apothecary
- Palm Springs Compassionate Care - Herbal Solutions
Staff requested each of the above applicants to notify the City no later than March 20,
2012, of their interest in submitting revised applications for possible award of the
available permit. Staff will report at the Council meeting how many of these applicants
responded.
ITEM NO.
City Council Staff Report March 21, 2012
Medical Cannabis—Choices on award of third medical cannabis regulatory permit Page 2 of 2
Staff anticipates that most or even all of the applicants from 2009 could propose new
addresses for their applications, should the Council limit the permit to these prior
applicants. If the Council elects to seek new applications, staff recommends
establishing a short timeframe within which the City will accept new applications (a
thirty-day period was set forth in the original ordinance). If the Council elects to "table"
the issue and not award the currently available medical cannabis regulatory permit, the
two existing permit holders would continue to provide medical cannabis to their
members.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
C Ig wing, P Thomas Wilson
D ctor of PI ni g Service Assistant City Manager
David H. Ready, Ci ager
02
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March 29, 2012
To : David Ready re: Further Investigative Findings in
City Manager Proliferation of viedical Marijuana
Palm Springs dispensaries in Palm Springs;
Analysis and Recommendations of
From: Harold vanasselt Jeffersonian Design
Jefferson Media
In California there ignow one medical marijuana clinic for every 2700
people. That comes to a staggering 11 ,000 dispensaries statewide of which
about 95% are unlicensed. Thirty six of these have beeit raided and overdone
with media sensation; another couple of dozen were audited by the IRS "using
an obscure provision of the federal tat code" that went nowhere; and the
',state ' s four U.S. Attorneys sent at least 150 letters to landlords telling
them to evict their tenants or face seizure of their property" not knowing
that many of the landlords where grower/operators themselves. According to
the LA Times, all those efforts by the fads were capped by the "Federal
Deposit Insurance Corp. has pressured banks to close accounts linked to
marijuana". Th6'keds:never put up a fight; they just gave the appearance.
Statewide there is no order in this new frontier mandated not only by vote
of the people, but by the simple fact there will likely be- as many marijuana
dispensaries as there, are outlets which sell cigarettes and alcohol. There is
no effectively organized "operating fee/tax" like a bed tax from which a city
could immediately benefit as it deals with• the direct consequences of a state
wide vote, with no help from the- state or the fads. The state 's Board of
Gqualizatior_ doesn't Know how much it collects on marijuana sales tax. The
Legislature of this fine state "has been linable to enact" controls, leaving
it all up to the City of Palm Springs to handle the fast growing number of
unlicensed dispensaries in this world class tourist destination.
Since it is all up to the cities/municipalities, the City of San Jose has
supported a few activists who collected enough, votes for a referendum to
call- the law "unworkable". Since last November, city officials have been
quietly and effectively meeting with the activists. First on the city's agenda:
official increase in collectives. Four months later they're still pretty
quiet in San Jose.
Now the City of Palm Springs finds itself in a similar predicarient in which
an action/response is required in what can be clearly defined as an out of
control consequence of the popular vote, as two more dispensaries have opened
shop7 since last ,reek, (411 in plain view, and not all in industrial areas.
Many are clustered around the two clinics that have vali3 permits. They all
'_.snow about each other as do those who shop for variety in shopping mall style )
In the absence of an effective state and federal authority in managing the
lawfully mandated distribution of medical marijuana, and with the county in
a complete state of legal denial, it is up to the leadership o_ _ �*
to take the only step it can by recognizing, 'like San Jose this simply can
be wished away emotionally, but must be addressed with Jeffersonian vigor.
The crucible for change is in place; the effective efforts of San Jose and our
own 0A demonstrate that the medical marijuana event can be addressed, and
eventually contained in fashion beneficial for ALL. concerned.
A great place to start is by taking a 30 minute tour which this Jeffersonian
is ready to provide
MAR 2 9 2012
03
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March 221, 2012
To,. David Ready re: Proliferation of Unlicensed
City. Manager Medical Marijuana Dispensaries;
Palm Springs Investigative Findings,Analysis
and Recommendations; and other
From: Harold Vanasselt related issues
Jefferson Media
Your rapid personal reply to my inquiries, regarding the above issues,
indicated your office took my presentation very serious in spite of perhaps
being unorthodox. The fact that the disputed "third medical marijuana permit"
was still "available" in a Desert Sun report, along with the fact that the
city council meeting to *mull" this issue was cancelled, indicates the City of
Palm Springs Is ready. to consider options previously not entertained.
A good focal point to address the proliferation of unlicensed medical
marijuana dispensaries would be to review the recent campaign by District
Attorney- Paul Zellerbach conducting an effective sting against a -few' dozen
unlicensed contractors arrested in Riverside County.
The gentleman prosecutor was not beating his .political war drugs, but
skilfully and effectively seeking resolve: "This is not about punishment; I
just want to see them getting their license." y intermittently exercising
these stings is an effective way for the DA to level the nlaying field for
all contractors. No doubt, the proactive DA has helpful literature on hand to
distribute to those arrested in the stings to help send the unlicensed con-
tractors in the right direction.
By utilizing an enforcement template as demonstrated by the DA, it is very
possible to engage ALL unlicensed dispensaries in similar fashion. however,
before this tactic can be effectively and uniformly engaged, there is one
gargantuan obstacle that, at this writing, may be politically and emotionally
impossible to overcome: issue business permits to ALL that ?:apply; and let 1he
market decide how many dispensaries are viable to meet the unprecedented
demandl In Constitutional Capitalism there is no other workable solutions
The City of Palm Springs can set precedent in the continuing fashion that
it seeks, to readily and willingly assist the city's high volume of cannibas
patients/clients/consumers. In the absence of the lawfully required nartici-
pation of the Department of Public Health, the city can request recommended
protocol for the dispensaries from that agency, and temporarily employ those
public health protocols in the city business permit process until such time
the molassis machinations of California's Department of Public Health can be
effectively engaged in the process of following California's Codes as they
are intended:
About two 'thirds of dispensaries contacted have expressed interest in a
form of contribution such as 10% "special permit tax", much like a city's
hotel bed tax, that would generate three times- what hotels produce; and there
is no slow summer season. With the death of redevelopment monopoly money,
the government of Palm Springa is the first to face an opportunity to cash
in on what can be described as the equivalent of a casino on tribal land: the
proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries that can add one third to the
total of taxes going to a city with the makings of Desert Hot Springs..which is
already invaded and surrounded by a handful; of mom and pop stores.
There is no turning back from all this. Just ask- the Sheriff of Humbolt
County,. "Without the marijuana industry there would be no sheriff department."
Like our practical DA, instead of just punishment assist the cannibas
businesses to get greenhouse agricultural permits allowing special utility
rates. Anything to get them started and keep them going to pay into city tag.
MAR 2 2 2012 04
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March 20, 2012 Indio Free Press
(first in a series) presents *sponsored by
California 's War of/on Medical Jefferson Media
Marijuana (Whose war is it, anyway`')
In the last California election, the effort to legalize .marijuana lost by a
few percentage points. A month before: the election, the polls indicated it
would pass by landslide proportion. Instead, at the eleventh hour, there was
a media blitz launched, rife with fearmongering, by high ranking law enforce-
ment and other notables, One would suspect the tactic originated from within
the campaign, but it did not; it was inspired by the medical' marijuana lobby.
Initially, the tactic ' if successful, would supposedly reduce competetition.
The point being that ;here is NO competition between ordinary street "swag".
and higher grade medical marijuana9 liking it to comparing Pabst and Corona,
The real effect of that defeat to legalize marijuana is�to lessen the complex
and unexplored territories the medical'::-, cannibas industry must now travel.
Given the legal chaos that presently exists, it would appear we have arrived
at the impasse readily predictable by conditions of this event. To wit,
With the climbing number of appeals courts making diverse rulings and many
attorneys keeping busy fighting cities to open; lawful medical marijuana dis-
pensaries in civil courts., it is time for California''s Supreme Court to step
in as it has before. If California's High Court can order a busload of judges
to troubled Riverside County's court system, it can responsibly respond to
take control and 2Rforea the law_•�by ordering municipalities to cease their
unlawful efforts to usurp the California Health and Professions Codes which
gives that authority only to California's Department of Public Health which
is responsible for writing the rules which will be enforced by County Health
Departments for operation and occupancy requirements. AIL the city/municipality
is supposed to do is enforce building codes and issue the business license.
The Department of Public Health is empowered to "license drugs", not the city
Many health issues, such as regular inspections for mold or fungus, is the
sole responsibility of the Department of Public Hmlth, : not the city.
Tiro years ago it was estimated the City of Los Angeles had LOO-500 unregulated
medical marijuana dispensaries. Today that number is well over 1000 clinics;
the one and only reason being is that there is a market for many morel
A similar predicament exists in Palm Springs and surrounding valley which has
at last count, at least 60-70 unregulated dispensaries operating either as a, :,
delivery service or operating dispensary, or both. In Palm Springs, a city
which "has 'tried its best"' in providing for cannibas patients, is similarly
under a:floeddf several dozen unregulated clinics cleverly disguised as health
and wellness bvnlnesses which appear closed. All that is needed for access is
to place your medical marijuana ID on the darkened window and you're in.
As these clinic operators are empowered by challenging the law, it is of no
use to arrest them, as they, and their fan club clients;, will simply relocate
and inspire others to omen clinics because there is a market -undeniably so!
Uztdoubted'iy`, It: would be advisable to drop charges of illegally operating a
dispensary against any now so charged and expunge these records, for those
doing -,the legal fingerpointing are in violation of the law themselves by the
criminally ineomnet violations of California Health and Safety Codesl
It is time for the Cultural War to end; and this is as good a time as any. We
are allowed to choose, as individuals, who to vote for; and the right an
inalienable right, to choose our own poison if we so desire, Thomas Jefferson
did, as he and George Washington grew commercial hemp and smoked its cousin,
Cannibas Sativa. As for me, it lowers my killer blood pressure = a lot; and I
really like that - a lots
MAR 2 1 2w 05
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Mardis 121, 2012 MAR 13 2012
To: 8xeeutive Staff re: Highly. Irregular Revocation of
City of Palm Springs Regulatory Permit Lawfully
Assigned to CannaHelp Collective,
From: Harold Vanasselt a Lawfully Sanctioned and Law
Investigative Publisher Abiding Medical Marijuana
Indio Free Press Provider
My marketing/public relations firm, Jefferson Media, has been retained by
Stacy Hochanadel, owner/operator, Cannaielp Collective described above.
Due to initial findings of government malfeasance by unlawfully revoking
Mr. Hochanadel's Lawfully Sanctioned :Regulatory Permit, this is no longer a
public relations issue, but an outright declaration of war by Jeffersonian _
Aecree: "When government becomes so inept, or corrupt, it must be abolished"
(For the record: Inept government can be abolished; corrupt government must
be overthrownl )
My findings reveal an ongoing effort to deny Mr. Hochanadel Due Process.
The latest effort was a long-predetermined city council vote revoking his
Regulatory Permit lawfg1ly sanctioned by State Law, a Direct Violation of his
Civil Rights. (Strangely, this did not make the Desert Sun news, as the news
of Rancho Mirage denying a dispensary did the same day. )
For nearly three years Ms. Hochenadel operated. one of three city approved
dispensaries, to include contributing to creating industry standards sorely
absent. only recently Mr. Hochenadel s landlord unlawfully evicted
Cannahelp under false pretenses. As soon as Cannahelp. was forced off the
premises, the landlord, a Mr. Rice:, started hooking Yip his own growing
equipment to the hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of electrical
modifications and other specialty remodeling forced to be left behind after
the eviction- of Cannahelp. Today, about three months later, with store front
signs clearly ready to operate is Palm Springs Safe Access, How convenient !
Meanwhile as Mr. Hochenadel= tries his very best to relocate in the time
allowed, he is further robbed . by City Council stealing his Regulatory
Permit prematurely, and giving it to Mr. Rice who must. have set this up some
time aga.� with members of city council conspiring to commit this ,convenient
crimes.
This can go only one of two ways.-
Notify the Grand Jury of allegations of official malfeasance; notify the
DA's Public Integrity Unit for Violations of Penal Codes; notify the FBI
for Civil Rights Violations not only of Mr. Hochenadel and staff, but one.
thousand patients of Caznahelp as well.; as these investigations are
ongoing file a multi-million dollar civil suit, in the most dramatic
fashion ,against both Mr. Rice and the. City of Palm Springs.
* orr simply, reinstate Mr. Hbehenadel's Regulatory Permit and give the
gentleman assistance in his trying effort to relocate to continue to
serve the best interest of the community as I try to convince Air. Rice it
would be highly advisable to :_ forfei�. his illegally seized growing
and dispensing operation, and hand it and the beilding over to CannaHelp
organizatiM as payment due for crooked damage done: or otherwise he'd be
investigated and face the consequences,:
This communication is intended and submitted as a Redress of Grievance,
gifted under the First Amendment and requires an official response, It is
also intended as part of a larger effort to end the medical marijuana war in
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03/13/2012 06: 41 17603291257 SUPER LIQUOR #2065 P. 002/002
California exhibited by the widely diverse appeal: rulings in the courts, and
by typical unlawful conduct such as exhibited by the debacle in Palm Springs;
alleged herein. In additionr cultural drug warriors such as the DFA invade
this state's legal dispensaries and will 'izow have their illegal operations
challenged herein, for they violate Jeffersonian State's Rights !
If California's Supreme Court is empowered to respond responsibly by
ordering a busload of judges to troubled Riverside County's court system, in
addition to tripling the size of the county grand jury because of all the
crooked ongoings in government, the California Supreme Court can and will be
petitioned to act responsibly and immediately intervene in what can only be
seen, as unmanaged social/legal turmoil rife with political temptation, and
Potentially volatile' situations such as is described in Palm Springs herein.
The Supreme Court would be irresponsible to wait more than a year befo e
bringing this medical marijuana war before the court to rule on the diverse
lower court rulings which are. stoking this war. Unification of law is a mustl
Meanwhile-, in this territorial war on California medical marijuana, the
City of Palm Springs and its Executive Staff now have an opportunity to
excercise their responsibilities by expeditiously contacting Mr. Hochenad 1
and offer his firm, Cannahelp Colle-ctive=, the assistance lawfjslly required.
Your consideration
s"and
dpparticipation would be highly regarded
07
Existing Applicants
08
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RECEIVED
913 Crossley Road MAR 19 2012
Palm Springs CA, 92264
PtANNINGSERVICES
Office 760 327-2504 ML—Mm ■W&M
March 15,2012
Craig Ewing
Director of Planning Services:
Dear Mr.Ewing
Re: Statement of Interest
I am writing this letter to inform you of Cannahelp's interest in resubmitting our medical cannabis
collective/cooperative application for the regulatory permit.
Thank you for the opportunity to resubmit our application.
Thank You for your time.
Sincerely
Stacy Hochanadel
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#- MerNISOlutions
3-14-2012
Dear Mr. Ewing,
Herbal Solutions would like the opportunity to open a Medical Cannabis Collective within the City of
Palm Springs. We believe that our Collective would be the best fit for Palm Springs and would
appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate that to the City Council.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Mark Adams
100 Oceangate 12`h Floor
Long Beach,CA 90802
Phone:562-209-0111
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March 14, 2012
to Whom It May Concern:
Caps is submitting this statement of interest to be eligible to receive a permit for the medical marijuana
collective. CAPS is interested in receiving the permit and previously submitted the necessary paperwork
and has been working to try to get the permit.
Sincerely,
CAPS Team
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RECEIVED
y`1(1AR 19 2012
PLANNINGSERVICES
March 14, 2012
Mr. Craig Ewing
City Of Palm Springs
Department of Planning Services
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Mr. Ewing,
Please accept this note as my statement of interest to revise and resubmit
my medical cannabis collective/cooperative application for a new review by
the City Council of Palm Springs.
Thank you If r your,consideration.
J n ce Hardoon
V650-7879
Palm Springs Compassionate Care (MC009-004)
3567 W Third Street
Los Angeles, Ca 90020
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New Requests for Consideration
13
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March 13,2012
City of Palm Springs
Mayor/City Council/City Manager
3200 East Palm Tahquitz 1j
Palm Springs, CA
Re: Application of Business License/Palm Springs Safe Access,505 E. Industrial Place Suite A, Palm Springs,
CA 92264
Dear City Council,
My name is Alice Jensen and I am a former employee and member of Cannahelp. I am an active medical cannabis
patient and former owner of Jensen's Carpet Care. I am a strong advocate of Medical Cannabis and wished to assist
Stacy Hochanadel in supporting Cannahelp. Upon my several months of employment at Cannahelp as assistant
manager, I noticed many occurrences that transpired at Cannahelp that were unethical, against city code and frankly,
illegal. I quit Cannahelp and the experience left a very bad taste in my mouth.
Over the months, I decided that it is people like me that need to set the example and when I heard that Stacy was evicted
from his location, I got together with a few former patients and we decided to start a cooperative that would live up to the
expectations of proper conduct and business ethics.
I have teamed up with two strong advocated from San Francisco and secured the lease of 505 E. Industrial Place in Palm
Springs and have spent over $100K dollars on costs related to securing a lease, improving the cosmetic aspect of the
dispensary, formation of a new Inc. cooperative (PS Safe Access, Inc.), etc. and are looking to secure the now available
medical cannabis city business.
1 have surrounded myself with strong advocates that not only support the cause of safe access as well as have the
business and ethical background to follow-through to the standards of the cause and your city ordinance.
I am formally requesting that the city council vote to allow PS Safe Access, Inc. the ability to submit an application for a
business license.
Thank you again for your time and consideration to this matter and I look forward to working with the city on moving this
cause forward.
ce ly
./7lu- en
Co-Founder
PS Safe Access Cooperative, Inc.
14
x
505 East Industrial Plc Suite A
x Palm Springs, GA 92264
S a f e A c c es s 760.778.1309
www.psaccess.org
Monday,March 19,2012
Steve Pougnet
Mayor of Palm Springs
3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs,California 92262
Dear Mayor Pougnet
My name is Robert Van Roo.I sincerely hope my previous letter found it's way to you.As I said before I've relocated here to
Palm Springs due to numerous requests of previous members of Cannahelp.
I was present for the March 7'"city council meeting and understand now that the license was not available.I hope that with
this next city council meeting the license might become available for new applicants.
I heard your response to Ginny Fear's comments and understand how hard you both worked to get the ordinance passed.I
would like to use the rest of this letter to give you a greater understanding of who we are as an organization.
The mission of our organization is simple:to deliver a comfortable experience in a clean and modern facility,offer
outstanding service alongside quality medicine,to always stay up to date on the most technologically advanced products,and maintain
affordable solutions for our patients.We are dedicated to evaluating and implementing the most personalized solutions specifically
designed for the needs of each individual member.Continually evolving and adapting with the rapid changes taking place in the
medical cannabis movement in both the scientific and political realms is a staple of our philosophy.We will also work to protect our
members' right to safe access to their medicine while also providing laboratory tested Cannabis to provide safe,clean,effective,and
reliable medicine to those who need it most,our members.
We are committed to synergistic goals of serving our members,our community,and creating positive social change.The goal
is to focus our energies on the health of our members from a holistic personal viewpoint and simultaneously providing access to and
information on healthy lifestyle alternatives for the entire community.
We believe in change,both socially and environmentally in all its varied forms and expressions.While it may first be noticed
in our visual aesthetic and vibrant energy when you walk through our doors,this positive and progressive change will become ever
more apparent in the many ways that we will serve our community.This community is recognized as not being limited to just our
active members but includes all residents of our City.
We are compelled by these challenging times to show what medical cannabis can truly do when a cooperative is operated on
an ethical platform run with core principals of compassion.These changes will come in many forms,starting with significant
donations of the cooperative's revenues to benefit health and welfare organizations,such as Desert Aids Project and local other local
charities.We anticipate providing free services including wellness classes,acupuncture,massage therapy,yoga,and counseling.These
benefits will be available for both our members and anyone from affiliated organizations that we support. We passionately believe
that the benefits of medicinal cannabis and the resources created by a nonprofit cooperative and made available to the community at
large can act both as relief for those in need and as a conduit for facilitating greater change-funding the enrichment of our community
and the lives of its citizens.
These goals can be accomplished by eliminating the greed that seems endemic to our movement.Rectifying such injustices
requires us to act and operate under the same set of principles and open acceptance upon which this City itself operates. Just as the
City of Palm Springs is progressive,tolerant,open and accepting of all people without regard to their race,creed,sexual orientation
and personal beliefs,we too hold true to these principals.
Our most valuable resource is our community,and we look forward to an open dialogue with the City and its residents to
create a cooperative that supports the goals of affiliated charities and community organizations dedicated to the support of the
individual citizens of this City.Our hope is to combine with the efforts of many existing organizations that support and service this
community.We look forward to becoming a contributing partner so that together we can succeed in accomplishing our mutual goals
of a stronger,healthier community-a better and more prosperous Pahn Springs,CA.
As I said in my last correspondence,I hope that we can meet in person so I can explain in length my intentions.If granted the
license I will prove over time my ethics are true.I intend to enrich and contribute to your already vibrant city.
Please afford me a meeting with you at your convenience so I might introduce myself and answer any of your questions, as well as
take any guidance and suggestions you have to offer which I will hold in the deepest regard. I know now how much you put into this
effort and want to implement your vision as much as possible.
Yours Truly,
Roberti c �
15
Co Founder PS Safe Access Cooperative,Inc. 2
i }
505 East Industrial Plc Suite A
Sprin
gs,ngs,CA 92264
Safe Access 9 r' 760.778.1309
`"-- 2012MAR C� www.psaccess.org
Wednesday,February 8,2012 F �' S
-i41 E5 irti,r � e.
Steve Pougnet CITY C t F a, K ,
Mayor of Palm Springs
3200 E.Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs,CA 92262
Dear Mayor Pougnet:
First, I would like to congratulate you on your re-election as mayor of Palm Springs. Your service to the City is well
documented.
My name is Robert Van Roo.I am part of the medical marijuana movement. I have recently relocated to Palm Springs
due to numerous requests of previous members of Cannahelp. I have secured the lease of the previously licensed
location, remodeled the building with a very modern edge, and have structured the goals and overall agenda of a
new non-profit to take the former one's place. I have the hope and intent of gaining both your and the City council's
blessings to reopen at this location as Palm Springs Safe Access.
The circumstances of Cannahelp were most unfortunate,leaving the City with a scandal and Michael Rice, the owner
of the building,with a permanently changed space suited only for the specific use. Both the City and Mr. Rice were
attempting to help bring much needed relief to the community. As a member of the movement, I feel personally
responsible to rectify this situation. The building located at 505 East Industrial Way went through rigorous
construction/retrofitting/ and regulation to qualify for and obtain one of the licenses previously issued in Palm
Springs through Ordinance #1758. The building, after all of the changes, is potentially rendered worthless to any
other potential renters outside of our use.A scandal the City may be able to weather,but Michael Rice might not ever
be able to recover.
As a gay male, I know from personal experience the irrefutable benefit Medical Cannabis has had for my community
struggling with the HIV/AIDS pandemic-As a politician who signed into place a historic ordinance in Palm Springs,
#1758, I believe you see the immense benefit medical cannabis can have if regulated. A benefit not limited only to
those suffering from illness and pain;but also the City,the State,and someday hopefully the country.
Your City has the potential with this ordinance to set a standard for the rest of the country. Fifteen years after prop
215 there are now 16 medical states with many states following suit. Yet few cities have been as progressive in
adopting a well-crafted ordinance. I feel we have an opportunity here. This opportunity can only be capitalized on,
however, if like-minded people work together. With your advice, I hope we might be able to accomplish this goal.
The path will not be an easy one.Nevertheless,I hope you might be willing to guide me and work with me to creating
a safe place for our members and allowing us to be open safely in Palm Springs,while mutually benefiting the City
with contributions to organizations and new community projects.
Our space is available for viewing by you and all City council members. Due to the violations of the guidelines of
Ordinance #1768, I presume the former operator's license is no longer available to him. I hope to apply for this
license, as it appears to be in limbo, and apparently available. I hope to obtain the license for our operation in the
permitted location, and prove to Palm Springs that with pure ethics and compassion the ordinance can work.
I hope that we can meet in person so I can explain in depth my intentions. If afforded the license I will prove over
time my ethics are true.I intend to enrich and contribute to your already vibrant city.Just by stepping into our lobby,
I hope, anyone can tell right from the beginning we are not like others in our field. Please afford me a meeting with
you at your earliest convenience so I might introduce myself and answer any of your questions as well as take any
guidance and suggestions you have to offer,which I will hold in the deepest regard.
Yours Truly,
Robert Lawrence Van Roo
Cell: (415)694-3754
"May my actions speak louder than my words."
� 3I� ' IIa
March 16,2012
City of Palm Springs
Planning and City Council
3200 East Palm Tahquitz
Palm Springs, CA
Re: Medical Cannabis Permit
To: Steve Pougnet, Mayor
Dear Mr. Pougnet,
My name is Michael Rice, and I am the owner of 505 E. Industrial Place, Palm Springs, the
former location of Cannahelp, Inc. I have incurred costs and expenses in excess of$211,000.00
in complying with City requirements for the use of my building as a permitted dispensary and
growing location for medical marijuana. This has of course, caused great hardship. I brought
my building up to the code requirements of the City, modifying the electrical, floor plan,
lighting, HVAC, parking lot, landscaping , security and even fire sprinkling the entire building.
The building is in full compliance with all applicable ordinances and is the logical location for
the 3rd collective.
As you are aware I was forced to evict my former tenant due to failure to pay rent, reimburse
amortized tenant improvements, allowances and equipment funding. The $211000.00 figure
does not include back rent and other related expenses of over $200,000.00 my former tenant
failed to pay. I am nonetheless still a strong supporter of the ordinance. This is despite the fact
that as a building owner I face additional risks and costs for allowing this use of my building.
These costs include increased insurance costs, inability to refinance or obtain new financing on
the property (lenders shun properties with this use). There is also a looming threat of federal
seizure of my property, implied from the threats that have been made to other building owners in
other areas of California, based on a possible inconsistency between current federal and state
law on the subject of marijuana.
As I have invested so much money to date on this use,my property is now ideal for only one use,
Medical Cannabis. Since I am willing to take the additional risk and cost and feel strongly about
this cause,I have recently leased the property to one of the former managers of Cannahelp,Alice
Jensen. She has formed a new cooperative, named PS Safe Access, along with two experienced
partners, with the goal of caring for the patients and members that my former tenant is unable to
care for. She is no longer connected in any way with my former tenant.
Alice Jensen along with her two partners has invested extensively in remodeling and improving
the dispensary area of the property. PS Safe Access looks to be a quality group, and it promises
to benefit the City its members and patients. They have worked from the approved plans and
have upgraded all flooring, walls, and fixtures. They have been ready to open for two months
now yet have been waiting for the City's approval to do so and have attempted on several
occasions to apply for the now floating license.
I am asking that the City Council allow PS Safe Access to apply for this license. I am sure after
further investigation by the City; you will see that this group is the ideal replacement for the
Cannahelp disaster.
I look forward to bringing this request to vote at your next council meeting. I will be in
attendance and am available to answer any questions the council may have regarding my request.
I am including a letter of introduction by a principal member of P.S. Safe Access written to the
mayor in early February because it quite clearly states his position.
Best regards,
Michael Rice 1 •�_
158 Desert Lakes Drive
Palm Springs, CA
(760) 202-4046
18