SLO Cannabis shop workers plead for City Council to reverse revoked permit

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Employees of a cannabis shop rallied outside of San Luis Obispo City Hall Tuesday night, asking for a reversal of a decision to revoke the business's permit.

The city manager says the permit was revoked because they determined the founder of the Natural Healing Center submitted false information on the permit application. 

Helios Dayspring admitted in federal court to bribing late San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill.

City Manager Derek Johnson said he understands the business and its employees were impacted by this decision, but says the founder broke the law and the city cannot ignore its own rules. 

This led to revoking the cannabis shop’s permit on Oct. 6. 

Natural Healing Center says the shop is days away from opening, and construction took two years for the shop to be built.

Employees feel this decision is unfair.

“It's not fair to the city of San Luis Obispo to have to give up the kind of revenues that we’re going to generate,” said Natural Healing Center Government Affairs Manager Joe Armendariz. “The kind of economic impact that we’re going to create, the multipliers, the – you know, you name it. It’s a win, a big win for SLO and a big loss if we don’t open.”

“I think it is important for people to understand that it is important that the cannabis industry has a fair and level playing field,” said SLO City Manager Derek Johnson. “Our city has laws and rules and they were clear when they applied for a permit.”

The city manager says although the permit has been revoked, Natural Healing Center is welcome to re-apply for the permit.