Carpinteria Cannabis Farms Facing Class-Action Lawsuit | Local News
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The recent development in a lawsuit against cannabis operators in Carpinteria has led to the case being granted class-action status by Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Anderle. This decision allows property owners residing within a one-mile radius of the cannabis farms in question, who purchased their properties before January 19, 2016, to join the lawsuit as plaintiffs.
The certification of this case as a class action marks a significant legal milestone, as it is reported to be the first of its kind in the state of California. Robert Curtis, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, noted that this ruling enables additional neighbors affected by the odors emanating from the cannabis farms to join forces and collectively demand accountability from the operators in Carpinteria.
The initial lawsuit was filed in 2023 by the Santa Barbara Coalition for Responsible Cannabis, Dr. William Hahn, Dani Dall’Armi, Chonnie Bliss Jacobsen, and other affected property owners near the farms. The legal documents state that these individuals have been subjected to persistent unpleasant odors in their homes and surroundings as a result of the cultivation and processing activities at the cannabis farms.
Among the plaintiffs are Dr. Hahn and Dall’Armi, who operate a rose business on Casitas Pass Road. They claim that their business has suffered due to the constant spray of deodorized mist from the farm’s vapor misting system, which they believe contains chemicals harmful to their property and health. Allegations include the loss of tenants, physical symptoms like headaches and nausea, and overall diminished property values.
The lawsuit targets Valley Crest Farms, Ceres Farms, and the Van Wingerden Family Trust, along with Case Van Wingerden and Alex Van Wingerden, who are directly involved in operating the farms. While the civil complaint presents the plaintiff’s perspective, the defendants’ attorneys have yet to respond to requests for comment from Noozhawk.
This legal action seeks to address the environmental and health concerns raised by residents near the cannabis farms in Carpinteria and holds the operators accountable for the alleged negative effects on the local community. The class-action status of the case allows for a unified front of affected property owners to seek legal recourse and potentially drive change in the practices of the cannabis operators involved.
