Cannabis generates $2.86 million in tax revenue for Santa Barbara Co.

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The cannabis industry in Santa Barbara County continues to generate more money than expected.

County leaders spoke about cannabis numbers before the Board of Supervisors during their meeting in Santa Maria Tuesday morning.

The cannabis industry brought in $2.86 million in tax revenue just in the last quarter.

The report showed the Santa Ynez Valley and Lompoc areas now have more acres of cultivation than Carpinteria.

The quarterly report is an opportunity to update the board on the status of licensing and enforcement challenges.

"I think the biggest one right now is the odor control in Carpinteria. That's a big deal," said Bernard Melekian, Asst. County Executive Officer.

Melekian says the other goal is to make sure operators who aren't following the rules are put out of business.

Supervisors say Santa Barbara County has confiscated more illegal product than the California Highway Patrol and several other counties combined.

The board is scheduled to talk about how to disperse tax revenue from cannabis in April.