Santa Barbara County Releases Documents on Cannabis Storefront Selections
In the wake of a court order, and on request, the County Executive Office is releasing the applications and scoresheets of the teams that competed…
Continue Reading 
Santa Barbara County approves “gargantuan” cannabis “grow” for the Sta. Rita Hills
A zoning permit for SFS Farms, 87 acres of outdoor cannabis cultivation at the western end of the Sta. Rita Hills, the county’s most successful…
Continue Reading
Santa Barbara County initiates enforcement actions against local cannabis operations
In a report to the county Board of Supervisors this week, County Counsel Michael Ghizzoni described several enforcement actions initiated by the…
Continue Reading
Cannabis grower near Buellton faces penalties for “serious” air pollution
John De Friel, the owner and CEO of Central Coast Agriculture, illegally ran highly-polluting diesel generators as a primary source of power at both…
Continue Reading
Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge upholds environmental review, zoning permit for cannabis business near Buellton
In a sweeping decision that puts a seal of approval on the county’s embrace of the fast-growing cannabis industry in rural areas, a Santa Barbara…
Continue Reading
Cannabis Operator, Winemaker Make Peace in the Sta. Rita Hills of Santa Barbara County
A cannabis operation along the Santa Ynez River in the fabled Sta. Rita Hills got a green light from the county Planning Commission this month with…
Continue Reading
Carpinteria cannabis plaintiffs sell home next to greenhouse operation
Greg and Marllus Gandrud, plaintiffs in a Carpinteria cannabis lawsuit, sold their home this week at 1493 Chaparral Drive; they allege that the vapor…
Continue Reading
Santa Barbara County extends State water contract to 2085
Also, on Tuesday, the board postponed a decision on whether to allow temporary sales of surplus state water outside the county, pending further…
Continue Reading
Bitter Feud in Wine Country: Will the county rein in the skunky smell from outdoor pot farms?
In all, the county has received 24 applications for cannabis cultivation in the Sta. Rita Hills, a federally designated American Viticultural Area…
Continue Reading
Brief truce in Carpinteria cannabis wars
One grower makes a pact with neighbors and sets the “gold standard” for odor control. Will others follow…
Continue Reading
Book Review: Santa Barbara geologist describes history of drought, flood on the South Coast
Mike Hoover, a Santa Barbara geologist, wants to remind us of the Medieval Drought, the epic dry period that held California and the West in its grip…
Continue Reading
Pre-Election Meltdown at Montecito Sanitary: general manager, 3 directors quitting
Some call it a “quiet revolution.” Others, a “hostile…
Continue Reading
Santa Barbara Seals 50-Year Deal To Sell Water To Montecito
Signing off on a historic deal with its wealthiest – and thirstiest – neighbor, the Santa Barbara City Council this week voted 6-0 to ship a…
Continue Reading
Montecito Water District signs up for 50-year water supply from Santa Barbara
In a historic move, the Montecito Water District board voted unanimously on Thursday to “drought-proof” the wealthy enclave by importing a large…
Continue Reading Montecito Water District Board nears vote to purchase yearly water supply from Santa Barbara
Promising to “drought-proof” Montecito and banish rationing – if not forever, at least for the foreseeable future – the Montecito Water…
Continue Reading
Board of Supervisors takes a pass on stricter permits for cannabis in Santa Barbara County
The county Board of Supervisors tinkered with its cannabis ordinance this week, promising immediate relief to 500 residents of North County canyons,…
Continue Reading
Cannabis tax revenues will exceed sales taxes in 2020-21, county officials say
The county’s $1.2 billion budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year, beginning July 1, includes an estimated $10.6 million in cannabis tax revenue, money…
Continue Reading
Santa Barbara County Planning Commission to deny permit for busted Herbal Angels pot farm
The county Planning Commission voted 5-0 this week to lay the groundwork for denying a zoning permit to Herbal Angels, a cannabis operation near…
Continue Reading Lawsuit seeks to shut down Busy Bee’s Organics in wine country
A citizens’ coalition is suing the Board of Supervisors and the owner of Busy Bee’s Organics, a 22-acre cannabis project on Highway 246 that was…
Continue Reading
Whistleblower lawsuit blasts Santa Ynez River district
A hydrogeologist who was laid off last summer from a Santa Ynez water district has filed suit against her former employers, alleging that her boss…
Continue Reading