Stricter permits on the table for outdoor cannabis projects in Santa Barbara County
After years of controversy, Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors may tighten the…
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Helios Dayspring’s North County cannabis operations could be shut down after breaking zoning, water quality laws
Two years after Helios Dayspring was caught breaking county zoning and state water quality laws – he was illegally expanding a cannabis operation…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Brief truce in Carpinteria cannabis wars
One grower makes a pact with neighbors and sets the “gold standard” for odor control. Will others follow…
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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…
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Pre-Election Meltdown at Montecito Sanitary: general manager, 3 directors quitting
Some call it a “quiet revolution.” Others, a “hostile…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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