Wineries worried about marijuana farms opening, say the smell could hurt their business

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KERO) — Wineries in Santa Barabara are worried about an increase in marijuana businesses that could be opening up in the area.

The Santa Barabara Planning Commission recently issued a permit for SFS Farms for an outdoor marijuana grow facility on over 86 acres in the county.

Kurt Aman, the general manager of a winery in the area, said that for one he's worried about the smell it could produce. He said the ability to taste and smell his wines is an important part of his business.

"We're able to allow guests to smell, evaluate, taste our wines, learn about this area, learn about our philosophy and if there are abundant odors, there's a real concern at how that's going to affect our business," he said.

The county says that SFS Farms doesn't need odor mitigation because the farm doesn't have components that would require it.