Santa Barbara County has officially adopted its Cannabis Odor Abatement Plan, following a unanimous vote by the County Board of Supervisors on March 18th. This decision comes after over seven years and more than 4,000 complaints from residents regarding the strong smell of cannabis in Carpinteria. The amendments to the county’s cannabis ordinance aim to address these long-standing concerns.
Chair Laura Capps expressed gratitude for the community’s advocacy, stating, “Unanimously, the Board of Supervisors ushered in a new chapter of cannabis in Carpinteria today. We finally listened to the people and acted to hold cannabis operations accountable for the negative impacts on quality of life.” She acknowledged the persistent efforts of residents who sought meaningful changes.
The new regulations will require cannabis farmers to replace existing vapor phase technology with “multi-technology carbon filtration” or equivalent systems in their greenhouses by March 31st, 2026. Failure to comply could result in the county revoking or denying business licenses. Farmers facing supply chain issues can request a one-time extension of up to 12 months, provided they submit their requests 90 days before the deadline.
Concerns have been raised by some Carpinteria residents about the potential misuse of hardship extensions by growers, with fears that they may intentionally delay compliance. One resident, Linda Seiter, urged the Board to shorten the deadline to just 90 days, reflecting frustration over the years of complaints.
During public comment, both residents and cannabis growers voiced their support for the odor abatement plan while suggesting potential adjustments. Tadd McKenzie, Co-President and CFO of Pacific Dutch Group, advocated for an extension beyond 12 months, citing necessary time for permitting and construction. He also proposed a tax credit to help mitigate the costs associated with the required odor control measures.
The ordinance will also introduce mandatory annual inspections by trained county staff, with additional quarterly inspections following the first year. The odor will be evaluated at the property line using a device known as a Nasal Ranger, which is designed to measure odor intensity effectively.
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