Letter to Planning Commissioners informing them of a class-action lawsuit certified for odor impacts on property owners within 1-mile of a cultivation operation.

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From: Neighborhood Coalition<sonomaneighborhoodcoalition@gmail.com> Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2025 at 4:58 PM

Subject: Class Action Lawsuit Certified re: Odor Complaints

To:<Tim.Freeman@sonomacounty.gov>,<larry.reed@sonomacounty.gov>,<Tom.Bahning@sonomacounty.gov>,<Shaun.McCaffery@sonomacounty.gov>,<Webster.Marquez@sonomacounty.gov>,<PlanningAgency@sonomacounty.gov>,<cannabis@sonomacounty.gov>

Cc:<lynda.hopkins@sonomacounty.gov>,<chris.coursey@sonomacounty.gov>,<james.gore@sonomacounty.gov>,<david.rabbitt@sonomacounty.gov>,<rebecca.hermosillo@sonomacounty.gov>,<scott.Orr@sonomacounty.gov>,<crystal.acker@sonomacounty.gov>

Dear Planning Commissioners,

The attached article is very relevant to your deliberations on outdoor cannabis cultivation and harm from cannabis emissions.  The class-action lawsuit was certified on Wednesday to include property owners within a 1-miler adius.  

Nancy and Branlty Richardson, Communication Directors

Neighborhood Coalition Sonomaneighborhoodcoalition@gmail.com

March 6, 2025

In a case that could have broad implications for commercial cannabis growers, Superior Court Judge Thomas Anderle ruled on Wednesday that the neighbors within a one-mile radius of Valley Crest Farms, a cannabis greenhouse operation in the Carpinteria Valley,can collectively seek damages for the pervasive smell of pot invading their properties.   

‘Landmark’ Ruling Certifies a Class Action Against Valley    Crest for ‘Nuisance Odor’ in Carpinteria Valley

independent.com