Anti-Pot Activist's Home Suffers Late Night Vandalism The theft of campaign signs in Santa Barbara during election season is nothing new. But when one is burned -- especially one that calls for a citywide ban on medical marijuana dispensaries -- it's enough to rouse the ire of elected officials who have made no secret of their hatred for herb. Less than 12 hours after the alleged act of arson took place, state assemblymember Pedro Nava and city councilmember Dale Francisco condemned the anonymous "thugs, bullies, and cowards" who torched two "Yes on T" signs planted on anti-pot advocate Mari Mender's front lawn, and then stenciled the number "420" on the curb directly in front her San Roque home. [continues 1052 words]
Three People Died, Two Were Hospitalized Between Friday, August 6, and Sunday, August 8, five people in Santa Barbara overdosed on what is presumed to be heroin. Three of them died and two were hospitalized. Based on evidence found at the scenes and statements taken from friends and family, the county coroner says it's highly likely heroin was the culprit, but toxicology reports are pending that will confirm or disprove speculation. While it's not atypical for there to be a few heroin-related deaths per year in Santa Barbara, said police spokesperson Lt. Paul McCaffrey, the fact that the three probable cases occurred in such a short period of time is not normal, and may indicate that an unusually strong batch of the drug is right now being doled out on the streets. "It was definitely unusual to have what looked like three heroin deaths in just a couple of days," McCaffrey said in an interview with The Independent. [continues 732 words]
Facing Closure, Pot Shop Challenges Ordinance Revisions In the eyes of the city, there's only 68 feet separating the owners of Green Well from running a legitimate medical marijuana dispensary and operating an illegal enterprise. And while the Milpas Street storefront had previously been on the safe side of a 500-foot buffer zone mandated by city ordinance between pot shops and schools, regulation changes adopted five weeks ago, including increasing the gap to 600 feet, left Green Well high-and-dry as it's only 532 feet away from Santa Barbara Junior High School. [continues 720 words]
