Santa Barbara cannabis industry giving back during COVID-19 pandemic

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Two of Santa Barbara's biggest cannabis companies, Coastal Dispensary and The Farmacy Santa Barbara, are donating their profits. Representatives from both companies said their sales have done well during the pandemic and they're giving back.

This week Coastal Dispensary donated $10,000 to the Unity Shoppe to help them provide healthy groceries to families in need. They have also donated to local Black Lives Matter organizations.

"We're really excited to be able to step up during this time and provide donations to our Coastal Cares partners like Unity Shoppe. This week we've donated $10,000 to ensure they're able to continue serving the community," said Devon Wardlow with Coastal Dispensary.

The Unity Shoppe administrative director, Elvira Avina said they've seen three times as many people in need of food assistance during the pandemic.

"We prepared last year for a quarter of the folks that we're seeing now," said Avina. "And not only are we seeing in greater numbers but their frequency as to that they're shopping with us is more often because the need is greater."

The Farmacy has donated about $25,000 during the pandemic to a couple of organizations. They donated about $12,000 to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County as well as supported Black Lives Matter and partnered with a New York City foodbank.

Both Coastal Dispensary and The Farmacy said they're thankful they were deemed essential businesses. And they're happy their success has allowed them to give back and support the community.