[420 Girl]

Hemet city officials are keeping a close eye on a hydroponics store out of concern that it attracts customers who illegally grow marijuana.

Steve's Hydroponics at 106 E. Florida Ave. opened Feb. 1. It sells indoor irrigation systems, growing lights and pesticides. Co-owner Steve McCann said his products are popular among growers of fruits and vegetables because the soil-less systems do a better job of delivering nutrients than outdoor gardens, and because the plants can be grown indoors -- away from extreme weather -- year-round.

"It shocks people when you bring them a homemade tomato in December," McCann said.

"They want to grow bigger, better, faster, and that's what we help them do," said co-owner Rich Portillo.

Hemet Mayor Eric McBride, however, said he doubts most of the customers are interested in produce.

"It's on my personal radar," McBride said. "What they are doing is selling things that are legal to sell," but he is concerned that customers are using them to illegally grow marijuana.

Hemet Planning Manager Deanna Elliano has inspected the store.

"What he's basically selling is gardening supplies," Elliano said. "He is well aware that if he ever deviates into anything associated with paraphernalia," that he could be prosecuted.

Hydroponics stores dot the Inland landscape. There are two in Riverside and at least one each in Temecula, Corona, Colton and Palm Springs, according to a directory at flairform.com.

McCann, 31, of Hemet, works with his brother-in-law, Portillo, 36, of Murrieta. Portillo said he was a member of Future Farmers of America as a child. He grows fruits and vegetables at home. McCann tests nutrients and experiments with new products.

"We do everything 100 percent legal," McCann said.

There is no mention of marijuana in the store. There are advertising posters with edgy product names: Hostile Takeover Electronic Ballasts, Bud Candy Advanced Nutrients, Rhino Skin Potassium Silicate and Piranha Root Colonizer, among others.

When asked about the names, McCann said, "There's a certain product that most of the market is geared for, but we are not allowed to say (what that is)."

He added that he could be prosecuted for selling his products if he knew they were going to be used to grow marijuana, even for medicinal purposes, and that he won't sell to anyone who indicates that intent.

The city has a moratorium on opening medical marijuana dispensaries.

Two customers at Steve's Hydroponics supported the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Kyle Nelson, of Hemet, said using the drug gives him back his appetite, which a stomach condition has taken away. He was wearing a T-shirt with an image of Benjamin Franklin firing a gun superimposed over a $100 bill.

"Medical marijuana, it's the greatest thing," he said.

Mike Maratta, of Homeland, said he used to have migraine headaches and used to use marijuana to alleviate the pain. He has purchased growing lights and pesticides there for growing vegetables.

"They're a good place," said Maratta. "They are willing to help you out with problems."


NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: The Press-Enterprise
Author: BRIAN ROKOS
Contact: The Press-Enterprise
Copyright: 2010 Press-Enterprise Company
Website: Hemet fears shop cultivates pot culture

* Thanks to Stevemc1979 for submitting this article


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