Californians who are angry about the smell of cannabis could have a powerful new way to force their pot-farming neighbors to clean up the air.
Industrial cannabis farms have been the source of complaints for years over their pungent marijuana odor. Yet, neighbors have long been largely relegated to complaining during public meetings. A new court ruling this week, however, could empower them to demand much more from the pot farms next door.
A Santa Barbara judge ruled this week in favor of Carpinteria Valley residents who were part of a long-simmering class-action lawsuit against two nearby pot farms. The lawsuit alleged that the strong smell from the pot farms was harming property values. The win potentially opens the door for residents across the state to sue pot farms for producing odors, according to the Independent …