Yes, the county Board of Supervisors said this week, voting 4-0 to uphold a land-use permit for Busy Bee Organics, allowing cannabis cultivation on 22 acres along Highway 246, west of Buellton. The scenic highway is the gateway to the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Ynez Valley wine country.
It was the first appeal of a cannabis land-use permit to come before the board in the region, and it was a big win for Busy Bee. Sara Rotman, the property co-owner, asked for and won a four-acre increase beyond the 18 acres approved for cultivation by the county Planning Commission in November.
One greenhouse will be allowed on the 62-acre property; the rest of the 22 acres in cultivation will be outdoors, including a maximum of five acres under plastic tarps in “hoop houses.” Two new 3,000 square-foot buildings will be allowed for processing.