Tag archives: marijuana

Misinformed and misguided
By Montecito Journal   |   December 7, 2021

Dear Mr. Brutoco, You certainly are an inventive person. You begin your “perspectives” column early by whining that the defense counsel for acquitted shooter Kyle Rittenhouse was “allowed” to refer to the two men killed by Mr. Rittenhouse as “rioters and looters,” and then claim, “they weren’t.” Do you have some secret knowledge as to […]

Stacy Shymansky: Bringing Life and Longevity to Plant Medicine
By Zach Rosen   |   November 22, 2021

The medical benefits of the cannabinoids such as CBD continue to develop as doctors and researchers study the chemistry and medicinal applications of the cannabis plant. For Stacy Shymansky — a Certified Medical Cannabis Expert, consultant, and world-renowned speaker on cannabinoid treatments — it was through her own path of healing that she discovered a […]

Despite Objection, County Will Not Move Cannabis Meeting from Yom Kippur
By Nick Masuda   |   September 14, 2021

Days after an editorial from local lawyer Jana Zimmer ran in the September 2 edition of the Montecito Journal that challenged the timing of a meeting over a potential Santa Claus Lane cannabis dispensary slated for Yom Kippur (September 16), the County of Santa Barbara has indicated it will not reschedule the meeting, despite a […]

Merso Labs Helping both Farmers and Consumers
By Zach Rosen   |   September 9, 2021

Liquor and alcohol may have a lot of laws and regulations around it, but it pales in comparison to the control, testing, and regulation of cannabis. The Bureau of Cannabis Control helps oversee this process within the industry. Purchasing recreational cannabis has its own tasks, but growers must go through an even more rigorous process. […]

The Cannabis Kings Meet Yom Kippur
By Jana Zimmer   |   September 7, 2021

I am not a religiously observant Jew, but on Thursday, September 16, I have an appointment with God. Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement — is a once-a-year thing, a standing appointment, and it is important to me. I have kept it on the steps of a temple in France, on a Greek Island, […]

Jews Care About Santa Claus Too
By Gwyn Lurie   |   September 7, 2021

Today’s Community Voices by Janna Zimmer is one I encourage readers, including those who plan for and are elected to serve Santa Barbara County, to read (it’s on page 23). As Zimmer points out, the County of Santa Barbara has scheduled an important hearing to discuss the naturally controversial proposed cannabis dispensary on Santa Claus […]

A Wellfounded Farm
By Zach Rosen   |   August 5, 2021

Over the years, cannabis has become acknowledged for its medicinal properties. Both of the common cannabinoids found in the plant, THC and CBD, are widely recognized for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities, among other health benefits. For Sara Rotman of Wellfounded Botanicals, the health benefits of cannabis were truly life changing and she has put […]

High, Neighbor
By Ashleigh Brilliant   |   July 29, 2021

Until my early 30s, I had never smoked anything. In fact, the practice of smoking appalled me. Sometimes I’d be with a group of friends, and they would start smoking a cigarette of some kind, which they passed from hand to hand. They would invite me to join in, but I made it plain that […]

Former Santa Barbara Police Official Sues L.A. Magazine Over Controversial Cannabis Story
By Nick Schou   |   June 24, 2021

Readers are by now well aware of the ongoing saga involving former MJ writer Mitchell Kriegman’s explosive exposé on city hall cannabis-related corruption that ran on March 12 of this year in the Los Angeles Magazine. The star of Kriegman’s story: Anthony Wagner, spokesperson for the Santa Barbara Police Department, who also played a role […]

Cannabis Chaos Takes an Unexpected Turn
By Montecito Journal   |   June 24, 2021

I am troubled by the apparent conflicts-of-interest by attorney Marc Chytilo involving his lobbying for a major cannabis grower and Foothills Forever.  The latter is a large community philanthropic effort involving the pro bono efforts of many attorneys, but one that Mr. Chytilo seeks primary credit. Last Wednesday, many in the First District were left […]

County Enforcement or County Stunt?
By Jeff Giordano   |   June 10, 2021

I’m loving what I’m seeing on Coast Village Road as most of us pull ourselves from our cocoons — an inside table at Lucky’s, things really are getting “normal.” It’s a spring like no other and I can’t wait to become fully engaged in our community because, frankly, it needs as much help as we […]

We Must Not Look the Other Way
By Montecito Journal   |   June 3, 2021

Upon reading Jim Buckley’s OpEd piece in the recent Montecito Journal issue regarding voter fraud I was filled with surprise at its publication, appalled by its content, and appreciation that the MJ printed it. I would remind Mr. Buckley that the courts, election officials, and the Attorney General, many of whom were appointed by the […]

No Conflict of Interest Found in Cannabis Licensing Scandal; L.A. Magazine Stands by Story
By Nick Schou   |   May 27, 2021

It’s now been two months since Los Angeles Magazine published a bombshell exposé by former Montecito Journal reporter Mitchell Kriegman claiming marijuana-related corruption inside Santa Barbara’s City Hall. At the center of Kriegman’s sprawling, roughly 4,000-word story, which the Journal declined to publish last year before Kriegman departed from the paper, was the contention that […]

Did Cannabis Baggage Derail Das Williams’ Coastal Commission Bid?
By Nick Schou   |   May 20, 2021

On May 5, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Santa Barbara City Councilmember Meagan Harmon to the California Coastal Commission, one of the state’s most powerful institutions, which serves to preserve and protect the coastline from commercial and development interests. A New York University trained lawyer and Harvard graduate from Lompoc, who is a relative newcomer […]

Hundreds of SB Residents Tell Governor: No! on Das Williams for Coastal Commission
By Montecito Journal   |   April 16, 2021

We are deeply dismayed to learn that Das Williams is seeking an appointment to the California Coastal Commission for the Central Coast. A controversial supervisor synonymous with Santa Barbara’s much-contested cannabis ordinance, Williams was barely able to retain his position in 2020 (even with the political and financial muscle of the cannabis industry). Indeed, there […]

Loss of Parking for Hot Springs Trail
By Montecito Journal   |   April 15, 2021

On March 31, 2021, I rode my bicycle to Riven Rock Road. Signs were placed there saying “No Parking,” threatening tickets to those who did so. I asked Gary Smart of the road crew what was going on. He told me that white lines were going to be painted on both sides of the road […]

Former Councilmember and Paradise Café Owner Randy Rowse Joins Mayoral Race
By Nick Schou   |   April 1, 2021

As a 66-year-old downtown businessman Randy Rowse is no stranger to Santa Barbara city politics. In 1983, Rowse opened the Paradise Café across the street from the Santa Barbara News-Press; last year he sold the joint, which has now been re-christened La Paloma Café. A longtime Democrat, Rowse dropped his party affiliation in the 1990s, […]

‘Skunky Odors’ Need Immediate Attention
By Montecito Journal   |   April 1, 2021

We are the residents of Linden Meadow in Carpinteria, a community of 40 homes immediately adjacent to the greenhouses located at 4801 Foothill and 1495 Sterling Road in Carpinteria. For the last few years, we have been regularly subjected to the heavy, skunky odors of cannabis growing in the greenhouses surrounding our area. The smell […]

Santa Barbara Launches Probe in Wake of Corruption Allegations
By Nick Schou   |   March 17, 2021

On Monday, March 16, Santa Barbara Interim Police Chief Barney Melekian issued a statement responding to a March 12 Los Angeles Magazine article that raised allegations of corruption and undue influence involving Anthony Wagner, the department’s public information officer, who previously helped run the city’s cannabis dispensary licensing process. Melekian’s announcement stated that he was […]

Post Post-Truth
By Gwyn Lurie   |   March 17, 2021

If we’ve learned anything from the “post-truth” era in which we find ourselves, it’s that substantiated facts are critical to productive public discourse. Allegations and aspersions must be legitimately corroborated. This is the only way to emerge into what will hopefully become a post post-truth era. Across our nation there remain countless fires still smoldering […]