A rose is a rose, and Green Society Group Management is a collective garden no matter what its owners call it and as such not allowed under city zoning, according to the Maple Valley Hearing Examiner.

According to the decision released by Hearing Examiner Gary McLean, the city proved by the preponderance of the evidence that GSG “operated a medical marijuana dispensary and/or collective garden at their leased premises in violation of a city moratorium prohibiting such use or conduct.”

“GSG offered no testimony that would rebut the city’s proof that GSG was/is operating a medical marijuana collective garden and/or dispensary in the City of Maple Valley,” McLean wrote. The city originally cited GSG in early May after it opened for business on April 20 for violating Maple Valley’s year-long moratorium, which the City Council had approved in July 2011.

The council approved an outright ban in June.

McLean noted that the city’s moratorium was never challenged by the Growth Management Hearings Board or a court ruling.

GSG’s attorney, Jay Bernberg, appealed to the city’s Hearing Examiner.

The proceedings were in late July.

This story will be updated next week.