A spillover crowd of more than 200 people descended on Carpinteria City Hall Monday night to speak out about the growth of the cannabis industry in the Carpinteria Valley.
Carpinteria, widely known as a sleepy beach town with "the world's safest beach," is now at the center of global debate over cannabis cultivation.
Many local residents say the "skunk" smell of marijuana is choking the community, and causing health problems for those who get a whiff of the plant.
Supporters, many workers in the grower industry, contend that the concerns over odor are overblown because of the negative stigma attached to cannabis. They also say that the industry is a booming economic driver for the Carpinteria Valley.
The council voted 5-0 Monday night to adopt a resolution stating its concerns about the proliferation of cannabis farming, and send letters to Santa Barbara County, the county Air Pollution Control District, the California Coastal Commission and other state representatives.
The council wants the county to consider not allowing anymore permits, adding a 1,000-foot buffer from property line to property line, and setting a finite date to implement odor control. The council also is urging other local cities to send similar letters.
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