Santa Barbara News-Press: April 20, 2023

Proposed tax hikes

Vandenberg performs missile test

Unarmed ICBM travels from Santa Barbara County to Marshall Islands

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched at 5:11 a.m. Wednesday from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The missile was equipped with one test re-entry from aboard the Airborne Launch Control System.

The test launch was conducted by a joint team of Air Force Global Strike Command airmen and Navy aircrew.

Vandenberg said the launch is part of routine activities designed to demonstrate that the U.S. nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective in deterring 21st-century threats. Vandenberg also said the test is intended to reassure America’s allies.

The ICBM’s reentry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Vandenberg said test launches such as this one verify the ICBM weapon system’s accuracy and reliability.

“Strategic deterrence is the most critical mission in our Air Force and the cornerstone of America’s defense,” said Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander, Air Force Global Strike Command. “The foundation of our command and our ability to execute our mission is because of Striker Airmen, and I have full and unwavering confidence in their abilities.

“This test launch reinforces what our allies and partners already know — we’re always ready to defend the United States with combat ready nuclear forces anytime, anywhere, on order, to conduct global strike,” Gen. Bussiere said.

Vandenberg said the test launch is the result of months of preparation by various government partners. “The Airmen who perform this vital mission are some of the most skillfully trained and educated the Air Force has to offer,” Vandenberg said in a news release..

Airmen from the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron

nEWS-PRESS EXCLUSiVE

Santa Barbara orders removal of eight parklets

City says restaurants failed to comply with ADA rules

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The city of Santa Barbara has ordered eight outdoor dining parklets be removed for failing to comply with ADA accessibility requirements.

And the city has given restaurants until Monday to make those removals happen.

“We just returned from issuing removal notices to noncompliant facilities,” Meghan Salas, the city’s parking programs supervisor, told the NewsPress. “We issued a total of eight removal notices today (April 17) with a removal deadline of April 24.”

The eight parklets represent more than a third of the 22 parklets in Santa Barbara found to be noncompliant with ADA requirements during the city’s last round of inspections.

City staff had planned to issue another two removal notices on April 17, but didn’t because the restaurants involved had made

the necessary adjustments to make their parklets accessible to people with disabilities.

“Two of the facilities had fixed their violations and are now in compliance and were not issued removal notices,” she said.

A certified access specialist performed ADA compliance inspections on the 22 outdoor business facilities on April 7. Of those inspected, 15 remained out of compliance, which means seven of the 22 parklets had corrected their violations. Counting the eight parklets off State Street to be removed, and the two that had fixed their violations, that leaves five parklets that remain noncompliant.

“The remaining five facilities are not as far along in the inspection process and will be receiving administrative citations and fines,” Ms. Salas said.

The city’s deadline for full ADA compliance was Dec. 1.

Please see pARKLETS on A4

Board of Supervisors learn about preliminary $1.48 billion budget

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, were aboard the U.S. Navy E-6 aircraft to demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of the ALCS system, according to Vandenberg.

Airmen from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, were selected for

the task force to support the test launch “We have a unique ability to strike a target anywhere, at any time, should the commander-inchief deem it vital to our national security and the security of our allies,” said Col. Chris Cruise, 377th Test Evaluation Group

commander. “An Airborne Launch Control System test validates that capability, ensures we have redundancy in our weapons systems, and showcases the interoperability with our Navy counterparts.”

email: dmason@newspress.com

Santa Barbara Juggling takes over Isla Vista

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Ever wondered what the life of a professional juggler looks like and maybe get some tips for yourself? Well, now you can.

On Friday through Sunday, jugglers from all over the western United States will come together and showcase their talent and skills for all to enjoy at the 47th annual Isla Vista Juggling Festival. This will take place at the Isla Vista Theater, continuing its streak for hosting the longestrunning juggling festival in the country.

The festival will have many shows and workshops for the public to learn and participate in. There will also be specialty acts, including some fun unicycle shows and comedic additions to the juggling experience.

In addition to the talent being presented, the festival is a fundraiser for Standing Together to End Sexual Assault, which was originally called

on A4

Jugglers from around the country come to Santa Barbara each year for the annual Isla Vista Juggling Festival and to support STESA. This will be the 47th year of the festival.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors continued to review the preliminary $1.48 billion budget and new proposals Wednesday.

Budget workshops began Tuesday, and another workshop is set for Friday.

The budget is a 6.2% increase from the 2022-2023 budget, and among the requests is for close to $3 million for the Sheriff’s Office for drug enforcement.

During Wednesday’s workshop, Harry E. Hagen, treasurer and tax administrator, told the Board of Supervisors what the treasury finance team had in mind for its budget proposal.

The county requested a $150,000 increase to its budget, closing its total operating budget to around $10 million. The budget increase request was made to fund a new position — a veteran’s services supervisor.

This job is intended to keep better track of veteran benefit requests as well as make clearer communication between the veterans and the office.

The Sheriff’s Office requested $3 million as part of its enforcement on drug issues. The money that has been requested will be used for custody bus replacement, a cannabis compliance and enforcement team, and a fentanyl-focused narcotics enforcement team.

Additionally, the department requested a little over $3.75

million in ongoing funding for staffing and hardware upgrades. Additionally, maintenance and capital projects were on the agenda. These were presented by the Public Works Department.

Within this presentation, $2.2 million was requested for HVAC energy efficiency projects. Within this project, various replacements of boilers, pumps, and HVAC machines will be done in different government buildings. As proposed, this will all be done over a few month period, yet as the department stated, it would take close to 13 years to pay off.

Even with the more serious budget conversations, there were some moments of fun sprinkled throughout the meeting.

General Services Director Kirk Lagerquist shared a quote in his presentation: “There are no traffic jams across the extra mile” which came from Roger Staubach, a previous New England Patriots quarterback. Mr. Lagerquist then made a quick joke dissing the Patriots in which the attendees reacted with laughter.

The meeting ended with public comments from members of the Santa Barbara community. Most of the voices represented were in support or had slight alterations to the budget requests from the sheriff’s office. These people who spoke have a desire to help with the ongoing drug problem but want to make sure it is done in a fiscally responsible manner.

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Small businesses petition against Biden’s latest budget proposal - A3

South Coast mayors to discuss the state of their cities

By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The mayors of Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria will share their visions for their respective cities at the annual State of the City luncheon hosted today by the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

This annual event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for attendees to hear from all three South Coast mayors at one time.

The Chamber will present Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte and City Manager Robert

Nisbet; Carpinteria Mayor Al Clark and Assistant City Manager Michael Ramirez; and Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse and City Administrator Rebecca Bjork as speakers.

“We are thrilled to bring together the mayors of Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria for our annual State of the City event,” said Kristen Miller, president and CEO of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.

“We believe it is essential for the business community to understand our region’s strategic focuses and hear directly from our elected officials about the issues that matter most to our local economy and community.”

The State of the City Luncheon is known as

one of the largest business events on the South Coast and the premier event for Chamber members.

In addition to the mayors’ presentations, each city’s manager will join for a panel discussion covering topics such as budget, public safety, economic development, infrastructure, homelessness and housing. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with business leaders and community members.

To learn more about the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, visit SBSCChamber.com.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

Getting ready for the show

UCSB sets new Give Day record

By NICK MATHEY UCSB SPORTS WRITER

UCSB Athletics set records during the 2023 Give Day on Thursday, and the school has thanked those who participated and helped support UCSB’s student-athlete experience.

UCSB’s Intercollegiate Athletics Department provides resources with the intention of creating life-changing educational opportunities for student-athletes. It has the goal of helping them develop their full potential in both academic and athletic settings.

The Gaucho athletic teams completed 23 challenges, triggering multiple gifts to each team. UCSB Athletics led all university departments with $561,269 total dollars raised by 653 donations. UCSB as a whole ended the day with $6,158,930 raised from 2,328 donations.

“It is with great gratitude that we thank all of you, our Gaucho alumni, family, and friends for supporting our mission to serve student-athletes and bring together community on Give Day,” said Director of Athletics Kelly Barsky. “Your support and connection is critical to providing an exceptional student-athlete experience, continuing the tradition of highly competitive programs, and connecting community. Your support not just on Give Day, but every day, is noticed, impactful and truly appreciated.”

Campus Excellence finished second across all departments with 360 donations and Recreation rounded out the top three with 201 donations.

Nick Mathey writes about sports for UCSB.

email: sports@newspress.com

California spends $1.3 billion from cap-and-trade on climate action projects

By RIA ROEBUCK JOSEPH THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - In 2022 California spent $1.3 billion dollars on nearly 19,500 projects to cut pollution and transition to zero emissions vehicles. Projects in communities with households facing greater economic and environmental challenges, consumed 74% of the budget.

The California Climate Investments report declares, “Across California, 75 California Climate Investments programs administered by 23 state agencies are continuing to direct billions of dollars into the state’s transition to a low-carbon and more equitable future.”

communities

disproportionately lacking the capacity to invest in low-carbon practices, transportation, or climate resiliency, or those with exposure to multiple sources of pollution, have been named as priority populations and targeted for a greater percentage of revenue.

“Programs are reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions by providing incentives for zero emission vehicles and equipment, increasing clean mobility options through transit and active transportation projects, diverting organic waste from landfills to composting, and more,” the report touted.

The implemented projects that cost nearly $1.3 billion, in addition

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Susanne Tobey, a former president of The Garden Club of Santa Barbara, adjusts her entry Wednesday for the club’s “In the Gardens of Splendor and Delight” show at the Music Academy of the West. The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the academy, 1070 Fairway Road, Montecito.

Small businesses petition against Biden tax hikes

By CASEY HARPER

SQUARE

CENTER

THE

(The Center Square) – More than 11,000 small business leaders have rallied together in a petition to protest the tax hikes proposed in President Joe Biden’s latest proposed budget.

The National Federation of Independent Businesses organized the effort and recently launched a paid ad campaign against the tax increases.

“Thousands of small business owners from across the nation signed the petition to say the proposed tax increases will be detrimental to their businesses,”

said Kevin Kuhlman, NFIB

Vice President of Federal Government Relations. “The White House is claiming they are ‘closing a loophole’ by subjecting small business income to a new 5% tax, but that claim is false and misleading. Small businesses are not a tax loophole and ask their elected officials to reject the proposed tax hikes.”

As The Center Square previously reported, the budget includes several proposed tax increases, including a minimum 25% tax on anyone with more than $100 million, an increase of the top marginal income tax rate to 39.6%, a hike of the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%, a billionaire’s tax, and more.

President Joe Biden

President Biden’s tens of billions of dollars to beef up IRS auditing and enforcement has raised concerns as well with economists saying small businesses will likely be targeted heavily by the audits. The Tax Foundation released an analysis of the proposed budget, saying it will lead to lower GDP and fewer jobs while raising about $2.5 trillion in revenue.

“President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget outlines several major tax increases that would add up to nearly $4.8 trillion in new taxes targeted at businesses and high-income individuals,” the group said. “After $833 billion in expanded tax credits, it would raise nearly $4.0 trillion in new taxes on net.”

Governor Newsom touts California’s recent actions regarding abortion

By TOM JOYCE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) - As the country prepares for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on whether or not the FDA can legally approve mifepristone, a drug primarily used to induce chemical abortions, California Gov. Gavin Newsom touted actions the state has taken regarding abortion on Tuesday.

Here are the actions that California has taken when it comes to abortion, according to a press release from Gov. Newsom’s office.

Protecting pharmacists within California in dispensing Mifepristone/Mifeprex even if the Supreme Court suspends the drug’s FDA approval.

Safeguarding California’s supply chain of medication abortion drugs under California law – by preventing any legal or licensing actions against those who manufacture, transport, store, or dispense Mifepristone or Mifeprex. Ensuring the privacy of patients and providers concerning reproductive health care performed in California, including when those patients travel or live out of state.

“Under Governor Newsom and the Legislature’s leadership, California has been a national leader in protecting and expanding access to reproductive health care, and today’s announcements continue the State’s commitment to preserve this freedom,” the press release from the governor’s office said.

While speaking about actions California has taken on this issue, Gov. Newsom went after Republicans, who have passed more pro-life protections since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer.

“Republicans are waging a war on women in this country – the courts and red-state legislatures have been relentless in their efforts to target them and health care providers who provide basic reproductive care,” Gov. Newsom said, according to the release. “It is important for women across our state to know that we will continue to safeguard their reproductive freedoms and to protect California pharmacists who dispense

medication abortion, without fear of persecution or prosecution.”

NARAL Pro-Choice California Director Shannon Olivieri Hovis praised Gov. Newsom for the actions California has taken regarding abortion.

“California has been a leader in the fight for our fundamental rights under the leadership of Gov. Newsom,” Ms. Olivieri said in the release. “We face historic barriers to our freedom to make our own decisions about our bodies and futures, but California has proven time and again that it will not back down. As a Reproductive Freedom State, we know that no matter what happens next, our leaders will continue to champion abortion rights and access—including fighting to preserve undisrupted access to medication abortion care.”

Additionally, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said that she wants California to be a safe haven for abortion.

“California is once again stepping up to ensure ALL women can access abortion care if necessary,” Ms. Newsom said in the release.

“We must recognize that these ongoing attacks on reproductive freedom ultimately aim to control women, keep them in the home, and render them invisible and powerless. So while our work to dismantle the patriarchal systems that oppress women is far from over, California will continue to serve as a safe haven for women and their reproductive rights.”

COURTESY PHOTO Gov. Gavin Newsom

‘The juggling community is welcoming and loves to teach newcomers’

TORNQUIST, Peter Allen

It was with great sadness that I tell you that Peter Allen Tornquist passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2023 at age 83. He was a man of honesty and kindness and the bonds he shared with all that loved him can never be replaced. Born in Caribou Maine in 1939 to Harold Theodore Tornquist and Vella Faye Merritt. He is survived by his children (Mike, Michelle, and Heidi), his stepchildren (Chris and Rick), his nephew Kurt and sister-in-law Cynthia, his grandchildren Nicole and Candice and his great-grandchild Tennyson. A memorial will be held at El Montecito Presbyterian Church at 2pm on May 13th, 2023 in Montecito California (near Santa Barbara). We love you Pete!

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JUGGLING

Continued from Page A1

the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center. Over the years, the festival has been able to raise thousands of dollars for the cause, and organizers hope to continue to support STESA for many years.

Jerry Walsh, a claimed “original” of the festival, told the News-Press that one of his

FYI

favorite aspects of the festival is how many new faces join each year. “It is an opportunity to renew friendships and make new ones, all while engaging in the fantastically fun activity of juggling!”

A consistent watcher of the festival, Robert Bernstein, said he “appreciates the skill and persistence that goes into perfecting some of the tricks!”

The emcee of the event, Danielle Bushar, will be performing on the unicycle in addition

The Isla Vista Juggling Festival will take place Friday through Sunday at the Isla Vista Theatre, 960 Embarcadero del Norte, Isla Vista. For more about the festival, visit sbjuggle.org. The festival is a fundraiser for Standing Together to End Sexual Assault. For more information, see sbstesa.org.

to her amazing juggling skills. She got involved in 1988 and has been attending the event ever since.

“The juggling community is welcoming and loves to teach newcomers!” Ms. Bushar exclaimed. If you want to learn how to become a pro, some of the attendees have some advice.

“Find a good teacher that can work with you in person. One can learn a lot from YouTube videos, but a beginner will save a lot of time by working on one hand at a time, and that is best done with another person,” said Matthew Thornley, a consistent attendee of the event and an avid juggler as well.

Additionally, Mr. Walsh said, “Come out to the festival this year, meet other jugglers, learn some new things, and have as much fun as you can!”

email: abahnsen@newspress.com

More than $9.3B spent on climate-centered policies

$1.3B

Continued from Page A2

to $1.3 billion in expenditures by the High‐Speed Rail Project have all been funded from the auction of emission permits in a cap-andtrade process. Cap-and-trade is a system

where the government allows companies to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide and global warming pollutants for a fee.

A limit or “cap” is set by a government entity, with the total amount being divided into equal parts called allowances. Each allowance is then auctioned off

but the number of permits issued each year are lowered. That makes the permits more costly to businesses wanting to buy them, while at the same time, it lowers the total emissions cap.

The increasing reductions in the amount of allowances also increases the price. Companies that exceed the allowance are

taxed while those who have more than they need can sell or trade them.

To date California has invested more than $9.3 billion to pay for plug-in or zero emissions hybrids, transit services, affordable housing units, restoration of land, planting trees and supporting employment opportunities.

Inspections set for the first two weeks of May

PARKLETS

Continued from Page A1

The city’s downtown parklets faced the same Dec. 1 deadline to meet stormwater runoff requirements. The last time the city inspected to check on their progress, they found that two parklets remained noncompliant.

The city set a Feb. 1 deadline to adhere to new design requirements. The last time staffers checked, they found eight parklets remained noncompliant for “more significant” issues. “We expect to see the minor issues resolved as businesses submit applications for license agreements (required by May 1).”

The major design changes to State Street facilities include painting the parklets to match the approved color palette (dark grays, browns, and black); removal of lighting from trees and over sidewalks; removal of visible advertising, signs, logos, etc.; and removal of turf grass, according to Sarah Clark, the city’s downtown plaza parking manager.

Only parklets along the Downtown Promenade have to comply with design requirements.

Ms. Salas said they will be dealt with shortly.

“We will be performing final inspections on

these facilities at the same time as the Outdoor Business Facility License inspections, which are currently scheduled for the first two weeks of May,” she said.

“Any outdoor business facility on the State Street Promenade which is not in full compliance with all requirements (design, stormwater, ADA, fire lane) will not receive a license and will be required to remove the outdoor business facility.”

Currently there are 92 parklets throughout the city. Once the eight parklets are removed, there will be 84.

At this point, no additional facilities have been removed by city direction, Ms. Salas said.

“I am not aware of any facilities that have been removed recently by businesses at their own choosing as we are not typically informed by businesses when they choose to remove their facility,” she said.

Staffers are now in the process of reviewing applications submitted for Outdoor Business Facility licenses.

“The next steps in the process may vary depending on direction from the City Council regarding license fees,” she said.

The city adopted a variable rate structure in January where fees would be determined by the amount of space taken up by a parklet,

and the extent of improvements made by the restaurants, such as making them portable or installing a platform or roof.

At the council’s April 11 meeting, a majority of council members agreed to revisit the issue after several restaurant owners complained the fees were still too high.

They gave staff two weeks to return to them with new recommendations. The matter will appear on the council’s April 25 agenda.

“As it currently stands, we will conduct an onsite inspection of each facility to confirm compliance with all requirements and verify that the facility matches the specs as submitted with the application,” Ms. Salas said.

“These inspections are currently scheduled to occur the first two weeks of May,” she said. “License agreements will be signed with all facilities with approved applications.”

When the outdoor parklets were first allowed, they were considered vital in helping restaurants on lower State Street survive during the COVID-19 pandemic when indoor dining was prohibited.

But along the way, the outdoor dining facilities have drawn more and more flack from critics.

email: nhartsteinnewspress@gmail.com

COURTESY PHOTO

Alongside the amazing talent, the festival will also host workshops for beginners to learn more about the world of juggling.

Life theArts

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

CALENDAR

The calendar appears Mondays through Saturdays in the “Life & the Arts” section. Items are welcome. Please email them a full week before the event to Managing Editor Dave Mason at dmason@newspress.com.

Baby artichokes

The artichokes are continuing to spike in great numbers at area farms, most notably prolific in the Lompoc area.

This week I purchased some petite baby artichokes from the Mendoza Family Farm, available at all weekly Santa Barbara certified farmers’ markets. Baby artichokes are quite easy to work with in the kitchen and are absent from that fuzzy pocket located throughout the central portion of the artichoke that is present in the larger specimens.

Baby artichokes can be steamed, fried, grilled, roasted as well as brinded or pickled. This week I prepared grilled baby artichokes as the Fix of the Week, on B2.

Arugula microgreens

I picked up some of these tiny arugula microgreens this week from Westland Floral, available at the Friday Montecito and Saturday Santa Barbara farmers’ markets.

They deliver a milder peppery flavor profile to the more fully developed arugula leaves we are more accustomed to, these greens are excellent for adding that signature refreshing flavor to salads, sandwiches, wraps, as well as a nice garnish. This week I used these arugula microgreens to top a homemade bruschetta over a toasted bread round.

A nutritionally packed food source, these greens are also nice over scrambled eggs and grain bowls. Price averages $3 per 1.75-ounce package.

Black garlic infused glacier

Drake Family Farms of Ontario California just rolled out this new variation of their signature glacier cheese, infused with black garlic. This goat cheese has a nice soft texture, which ripens as it ages, making it one of my goto options for a charcuterie platter. This cheese pairs very well with nuts, dried fruit, and tart apples.

All of Drake Family Farms cheese is produced from the goats on their property, made in small batches. The Drake Family Farm describes this cheese as a “mild bloomy rind soft goat milk cheese reminiscent of the finest Fresh bucheron but more dry to reflect our Southern California desert terroir.

You can find this new cheese offering at the Saturday Santa Barbara farmers’ market weekly. Price averages $15 per round.

Sam Edelman is general manager of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association and host of “Farm to Table,” which airs live 9 a.m. Thursdays on KZSB AM 1290. Sam Edelman photos

Grandparent Portrait Show

Exhibit celebrates significant elders, community diversity and art in schools

By MARILYN MCMAHON NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Grandparent Portrait Show, a biennial event, has become the signature exhibition for the Student Art Fund.

Student artists in public junior high and high schools from Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Goleta pay tribute to their grandparents and significant elders by creating drawings, paintings, sculptures and photographs that capture their portrait.

The 2023 Grandparent Portrait Show is on display through April 27 at the Faulkner Gallery in the Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. The exhibit is sponsored by grants from the Santa Barbara County Arts Council and Santa Barbara Beautiful and awards sponsored by 12 donors.

This Eighth Biennial Grandparent Portrait Show contains 157 portraits in various media of grandparents or beloved elders. The exhibit was juried by Nicole Strasburg, who viewed images of all the entries and selected 13 award-winning portraits and five honorable mentions.

Ms. Strasberg, a well-known landscape artist, was once a student of Student Art Fund founder Audie Love at Dos Pueblos High School.

The show was started in 2009 by members of the SBAA Student Art Fund Committee. Grandparent portraits were a regular part of Mr. Love’s class curriculum at Dos Pueblos. When he heard that a student’s portrait had been prominently displayed at a memorial service, he was inspired to create a venue for the entire community to experience the significance of these portraits.

Destiny Guron’s “Family Heritage” cube won the Gwen Taylor Dawson Award.

of three generations of Santa Barbara grandparents are featured in painted portraits on each of the six sides, beginning

TODAY 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Storytelling: Native People Through the Lens of Edward S. Curtis” is on display through April 30 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. For more information, visit sbnature. org. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “SURREAL

WOMEN: Surrealist Art by American Women” is on display through April 24 at Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information, www.sullivangoss.com.

By appointment on weekdays: “Holly Hungett: Natural Interpretations” is on view through May 20 at the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara’s gallery, 229 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and weekdays by appointment. For more information, call the foundation at 805-965-6307 or go to www.afsb.org.

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical. org. to etcsb.org or call 805-9655400.

APRIL 21

8 p.m. Sō Percussion with Caroline Shaw will perform at UCSB Campbell Hall. Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw joins Sō Percussion as vocalist for 10 songs she co-composed with the quartet members. Tickets are $20 to $35 for the general public and $10 for UCSB students with current student ID. TO purchase, call Arts & Lectures at 805-893-3535 or go to www.artsandlecturesucsb.edu.

APRIL 23

7 p.m. Artemis, an international jazz ensemble made up of six women, will perform at UCSB Campbell Hall. The ensemble consists of pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes, trumpeter Ingrid Jenson, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, alto saxophonist and flutist Alexa Tarantino, bassist Norike Ueda and drummer Allison Miller. Artemis’ music ranges from modern compositions to jazz classics by Thelonious Monk, Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter. Audience members may arrive early at 4 p.m. for a free Q&A and behind-the-scenes open sound check. Register at thematiclearning.org/2022-2023.Elubia’s Kitchen will be serving dinner before the show from 5 to 7 P.M., outside of the event. Tickets range from $30 to $45 for the general public and are $15 for UCSB students who show a current student ID. To purchase, go to www.artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

APRIL 24

7:30 p.m. The Lompoc Pops Orchestra will perform everything from Broadway hits to a “Star Trek” medley at the First United Methodist Church, 925 North F St., Lompoc. Tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for all full time students, and free for children 12 and under. To make reservations, call 805-733-1796.

APRIL 25

7:30 p.m. The American Theatre Guild will present “Anastasia” at The Granada, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. The new Broadway musical follows a brave young woman on a journey to discover the mystery of the past. This production transports the audiences from the twilight of the Russian empire to Paris in the 1920s. Tickets cost $54 to $129. To purchase, go to granadasb.org.

APRIL 30

3:30 p.m. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art presents a unique conversation between renowned poet and art critic John Yau and artist Joan Tanner.

The event will take place at 3:30 p.m. April 30 at SBMA’s Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. Tickets are free for SBMA members and students and cost $5, otherwise. They are available at tickets.sbma.net.

— Dave Mason

Managing Editor Dave Mason dmason@newspress.com

Images

Above, Destiny Guron is shown with her family. From left are Joel Guron, her father; Latoya Guron, her mother; Leilani Guron, her twin sister; Mila Smith, her young niece; Destiny; her great-grandmother or her “nonny,” Mary Dixon; her great uncle, the Rev. J.B. Ficklin Jr., pastor of Greater Hope Baptist Church; Lenny Kerr, her cousin, standing behind Rev. Ficklin; and Bernice Garrett, her great aunt. At right, Destiny Guron’s cube includes paintings of three generations of Santa Barbara grandparents on its six sides.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Destiny Guron stands with her great-grandmother or “nonny,” Mary Dixon. She included her great-grandmother in her “Family Heritage Cube,” a painting project.

with her great-great grandmother Clarice Pearson who, in the 1940s, was the manager of food services for the Santa Barbara School District, to grandma Cleavonese Johnson, arriving in the 1960s, who began SBCC’s Head Start Program. All five generations, including Destiny, have lived in Santa Barbara.

Destiny said that when she was younger, she stuttered, and art was her way of expressing herself. Currently a junior at Dos Pueblos and a student in Kevin Gleason’s art class, Destiny hopes to find a way to make art part of her career.

“The Grandparent Portrait Project is one that connects students with their family roots and pride. Getting students to focus on the faces of their grandparents is a way of strengthening those connections, and possibly, of inspiring the students with the hopes and aspirations that these grandparent figures have for them,” said Sally Hamilton, Student Art Fund member.

“The show has been celebrated for highlighting the wide diversity of cultures in Santa Barbara and for displaying the excellent quality of the public schools’ art instruction”

email: mmcmahon@newspress.com

FARMERS MARKET Sam

Edelman

This past weekend was the first farmers market loaded with a truly exceptional selection of freshly harvested artichokes, coming direct from local area farms.

As the spring weather starts to warm up, this seasonal vegetable begins to spike in great numbers, which is quite an impressive sight to see when taking a stroll through one of your local farms.

Their leaves, which appear to branch out in a fern-like formation, are broad, light green with almost a hint of silver in color, possessing jagged edges from end to end. The artichokes themselves shoot out from the base of the plant, with long stems connecting to the softball shaped size chokes at the top. The edible portion of the artichoke itself possesses tightly packed leaves, and once removed, exposes a succulent heart within when prepared. The final form of artichoke you will encounter is the baby artichokes, often found in both their green and purple form. The differing color does not seem to alter the flavor.

These are nice because they require less work, as most of the leaves are edible, and can be steamed, boiled, fried, or grilled. Just pull back a few layers of the miniature leaves, cut off the jagged tip, and they are ready to cook. Baby artichokes are quite nutritious, making a great addition to your seasonal diets. They possess a solid amount of protein, vitamin C, dietary fiber, and folate. In addition, they contain a bounty of essential nutrients and minerals including magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, copper and potassium.

When selecting your baby artichokes at the farmers market, the heads should be firm, free of bending. You should see freshly cut stems and the base and full colored leaves towards the tip, free of browning to ensure they arrive at your table as fresh as possible. The leaves should also be tightly packed against their heart and free of any dryness.

There are several ways to prepare baby artichokes, but one of my favorites is to steam, marinate, and then finish on the grill. Tender, smokey and meaty,

these make for a delicious side.

Sam Edelman is general manager of the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association and host of “Farm to Table,” which airs live 9 a.m. Thursdays on KZSB AM 1290. Sam Edelman photos

GRILLED BABY ARTICHOKES

1 dozen baby artichokes.

¼ cup olive oil.

Juice from 1 lemon.

3 cloves garlic, minced.

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar.

2 tablespoons honey.

2 tablespoons dried oregano.

Peel off a couple layers of the outer leaves of the artichokes and cut off the very base end of the stem as well as about a quarter inch off the top. Steam artichokes for 7-8 minutes, or until just fork tender through the heart portion. Run under cold water to cool, then slice in half. Whisk together remaining ingredients and marinate artichokes in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. Then finish by cooking for about 1-2 minutes per side on a hot grill. Yield: Makes 24 pieces.

Westmont College graduates win fellowships

MONTECITO – Two alumni from Westmont University have received Graduate Research Fellowships from the National Science Foundation, in which the alumni plan to use this fellowship to continue their careers in science.

Braden Chaffin (’23) and Chisondi Warioba (’21) were given the fellowship from the NSF. The five-year fellowship provides three years of financial support, including an annual stipend of $37,000 to help support the alum’s scientific endeavors.

Mr. Chaffin graduated last semester from Westmont and will be attending UCLA this fall to earn a doctorate in organic chemistry.

“This fellowship allows me greater flexibility and security, and I will not have to teach to support myself, thus freeing up more time dedicated purely to

research,” he said.

After graduate school, Mr. Chaffin hopes to work in small molecule development, possibly in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Mr. Warioba is a second-year graduate student who is half way through his doctorate in medical physics at the University of Chicago. He was granted this fellowship to continue his research on the “fMRI and DTI analysis of functional connectivity loss related to cerebral arterial occlusion.” He plans to attend medical school and has plans to become a physician/scientist.

Both of the fellows have been chosen for the program whose purpose “is to ensure the quality, vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States.”

— Kira Logan

SAM EDELMAN PHOTO

PHOTOS COURTESY WESTMONT COLLEGE Braden Chaffin graduated last semester from Westmont College and will be attending UCLA this fall to earn a doctorate in organic chemistry.

Chisondi Warioba, who graduated from Westmont College in 2021, is a second-year graduate student who is half way through his doctorate in medical physics at the University of Chicago.

The 2023 Grandparent Portrait Show is on display through April 27 at the Faulkner Gallery at the Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. For more information, call 805-453-1558 or email sallyshamilton@gmail.com.

COURTESY PHOTO

Destiny Guron, who won the Gwen Taylor Dawson Award for her Family Heritage Cube, stands with Gwen Taylor Dawson.

Diversions

Thought for Today

HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Thursday, April 20, 2023

ARIES — People could be exploding with rage all around, and you may wonder what the big deal is. If anyone is likely to have a level head through today’s chaos, it’s you, and this gives you a tremendous advantage in any situation. The beauty of it is that you should be able to use these situations to your advantage.

TAURUS — The more you try to control others, the harder it will be to get what you want, Taurus. People with equally strong wills are making it known they won’t be bullied by your manipulative behavior.

If a straightforward approach doesn’t work, let it be. Perhaps the situation wasn’t meant to develop the way you wanted.

GEMINI — You may join hands with a spokesperson who’s willing to attest to your honesty and good nature, Gemini. This person is happy to step up and toot your horn for you. You’ve earned a space in the spotlight, so don’t shrink into the background when your name is called. Graciously accept the praise you receiveyou deserve it. Next,

CANCER — You may get frustrated when people who’ve taken shortcuts gain on your position, Cancer. You believe that hard work is necessary to get where you need to go. You aren’t afraid to expend the blood and sweat needed for success. You’ve planned well and you’re on track.

LEO — You may not realize the effect of your erratic behavior on other people, Leo. They may try to understand your viewpoint, but at times it seems you’re talking in riddles. Slow down and clarify your thoughts before you dictate orders to others. You have incredible power.

VIRGO — It may be best if you stay out of the line of fire, Virgo. Don’t get into others’ battles. By choosing sides, you create enemies. Use your compassion to soothe the situation. Use your caring nature to put out the fire. Don’t get sucked into the flames where you may add to the confusion. Your job is to stand

aside.

LIBRA — Although your general mood is good, Libra, this doesn’t mean your day will go off without a hitch. When it comes to projects and getting things done, you may be the one to take the lead. You’re good at motivating the troops to move as a unified force. The one thing to be careful of is having selfish motives.

SCORPIO — Difficult situations may arise in which you feel like you’re doomed no matter what you do. Finding a working solution seems impossible due to the egos of the people involved. Even if everything looks workable on paper, this is no guarantee that things will work out in real life.

SAGITTARIUS — Be quick to point out when you see an injustice, Sagittarius. If someone says something offensive or untrue, don’t let it slide. If you do, you’re just as much at fault as the person who committed the offense. When you know you’re right, say so. It’s important that others respect you.

CAPRICORN — Your emotions may be erratic, Capricorn. You may want everyone to know what you’re feeling and act out in an immature manner to get noticed. In a way, you feel like a kid who will do anything to get a parent’s attention, even if the action is naughty. At the same time, you don’t want to be seen as the bad kid.

AQUARIUS — You may be fidgeting, Aquarius, given your general restlessness. You’re anxious to get up and do some sort of song and dance, and yet you insist on waiting for the right time. Meanwhile, you’re getting extremely anxious for your big moment. You’re in charge of your own show. If you feel ready to go on, don’t wait.

PISCES — Although you may pride yourself on your patience, Pisces, this quality could be hard to come by today. It’s possible that you’ve bent as far as you can and reached the breaking point. The final straw is about to be placed on the camel’s back. Let loose the explosion of emotion called for by events.

DAILY BRIDGE

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Thursday, April 20, 2023

I’ve heard an optimist defined as someone who finds his basement flooded and goes in search of a fishing pole. In some deals, declarer must be optimistic and assume the missing cards lie favorably.

Today’s North-South push to four spades after West’s weak jumpovercall. West leads the queen of clubs, and South takes the ace, leads a trump to his queen and cashes the ace.

West discards, so South has two trump losers, a diamond and a club. He has a two-way guess for the queen of hearts. Is his play really a guess?

CLUB LOSER

South must run the hearts to discard dummy’s club loser and ruff his last club in dummy. He must find East with four hearts; even if South locates the queen, a 3-3 break won’t help him since East will ruff the fourth heart and cash a high trump.

So South should assume East’s hearts are Q-x-x-x. South leads to the ace and lets the ten ride. He leads a heart to his jack, throws dummy’s last club on the king and ruffs a club in dummy, making his game. DAILY QUESTION

You hold: A Q 4 3

5 6 3. Your partner opens one club, you respond one spade and he next bids two hearts.

SUDOKU

CODEWORD PUZZLE

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box. Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. Every number in the codeword grid is ‘code’ for a letter of the alphabet. Thus, the number 2 may correspond to the letter L, for instance. All puzzles come with a few letters to start. Your first move should be to enter these letters in the puzzle grid. If the letter S is in the box at the bottom of the page underneath the number 2, your first move should be to find all cells numbered 2 in the grid and enter the letter S. Cross the letter S off the list at the bottom of the grid. Remember that at the end you should have a different letter of the alphabet in each of the numbered boxes 1- 26, and a word in English in each of the horizontal and vertical runs on the codeword grid.

PUZZLE

What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner has “reversed” and promises substantial extra values — in some styles, enough to force to game opposite a minimum response. A hand such as 5, A Q 9 3, K 4 3, A K Q 10 4 will offer a play for 13 tricks at hearts.

Raise to three hearts (forcing) to set the trump suit. You will cue-bid your aces later. South dealer

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”

— Robin Williams

9 a.m.

additional information, please email classad@newspress.com or call (805) 963-4391.

‘It is going to get struck down’: Washington Legislature passes gun ban

By TJ MARTINELL THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) - The Washington Legislature has passed a bill banning the sale, purchase, or importation of rifles, pistols, and shotguns deemed to be “assault weapons,” though legislators voting in opposition argued it won’t survive a legal challenge.

“It’s going to pass [the Legislature],” Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, told colleagues on the Senate floor. “I’m sure it will be signed by the governor. It’s going to be struck down, it’s not going to change anything.”

HB 1240 initially cleared both chambers, but the Senate version was rejected by the House for adding an amendment by Wagoner exempting active military personnel receiving orders to move to Washington or military retirees moving to Washington state. That amendment was ultimately removed from the Senate version before the April 18 vote.

The bill specifically bans more than 60 semiautomatic rifles along with a variety of other

semi-automatic rifles based on either length [shorter than 30 inches] or whether it has one or more accessory or feature. The legislation makes similar prohibitions on semi-automatic shotguns and handguns.

Republican lawmakers used the Senate floor vote to once more push for several amendments, including one that would remove the bill’s emergency clause. Due to the clause’s inclusion, the bill takes effect the moment it’s signed by Gov. Jay Inslee and does not allow referendum vote later this year.

Another amendment would have allowed gun dealers to sell or transfer weapons banned under the bill for up to 90 days after the law takes effect.

Opposed was Sen. Manka Dhingra, DRedmond, who told colleagues “you have the ability to sell it for 90 days to people outside of Washington. Individuals can continue to sell to law enforcement agencies or military. We also have larger businesses they can transfer these products outside of the state of Washington. They’re not closing down and getting rid of all

their products.”

However, Sen. Jim McCune, R-Graham, argued that “we’re not talking about one product. We’re talking multiple products. We’re talking about a lot of them. I don’t think they’re [gun shops] going to sell them out of state they’re going to sell them in state. They need to be able to sell their products off.”

The primary argument among proponents of HB 1240 is that it will reduce mass shootings and gun violence in the state, with Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue, calling gun violence the “preeminent issue of our time.”

Mass shootings made up two percent of all murders and homicides between 2015-2021, while 74 percent of all firearm-related deaths in Washington state between 2018-21 were suicide-related. According to Harborview’s Firearm Injury and Research Program, suicides are greater than homicides in total firearm deaths in every county except for Yakima.

HB 1240 will now be sent to Gov. Inslee’s desk for signing.

Challenge to Illinois’ gun ban continues with law intact as federal appeal plays out

By GREG BISHOP THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – A challenge to Illinois’ gun and magazine ban continues with the law in place after a federal appeals court rejected a motion to halt the law pending appeal.

The case Bevis v. Naperville was filed last year challenging the city’s gun ban. Plaintiffs modified the federal case to include the state’s gun ban enacted in January. In February, federal Judge Virginia Kendall ruled the ban on certain weapons is “consistent” with the “historical tradition of firearms regulation.”

Plaintiffs appealed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals with a request the law be blocked pending appeal. Tuesday, an appeals court denied that motion. G-PAC board member John Schmidt said gun control advocates got a win, but the case continues.

“So are we impairing the right to bear arms because we limit the ability to buy certain types of weapons, I think my common sense answer to that is ‘no’ but we have to see ultimately what the [U.S.] Supreme Court has to say about that,” Mr. Schmidt told The Center Square. Mr. Schmidt said things could get interesting with the challenge

Pennsylvania cracks down on new opioid cutting agent

By LAUREN JESSOP THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) – As overdose deaths from synthetic opioids in Pennsylvania climb, officials want to keep up with shifting manufacturing and usage patterns.

Fentanyl has replaced heroin as the dominant opioid in the state, and counterfeit prescription pills laced with it play a large role in the number of overdoses. The latest trend of adding xylazine as a cutting agent is making these drugs even more deadly, officials say.

On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced his administration will add xylazine to the state’s list of controlled substances as a schedule III drug. This will place restrictions on its purchase and delivery, and allow authorities to charge and prosecute those who violate the rules.

Xylazine, also known as tranq, is a non-opiate sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant authorized for veterinarian use. It’s cheap and readily available, making it attractive to drug traffickers.

Users may develop a physical dependence to xylazine, with some reporting withdrawal symptoms equal to – or more severe than– heroin, such as chest pains and seizures. They often develop skin ulcers and soft tissue injuries that can lead to infections, resulting in amputations at rates higher than that of other drugs.

The Center Square previously reported that more than 5,300 residents died from an overdose in 2021 – one of the highest rates nationally. In an effort to get more people into recovery, the governor recently announced $4 million in grant funding to establish regional recovery hubs across the state.

According to Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health, overdoses are spiking. In 2021, officials reported the highest number of unintentional overdose deaths on record – 1,276 – a 5% increase from 2020. Additionally, 82% involved opioids, and of those, fentanyl was detected in 94%. Xylazine was detected in 34% of all overdose deaths in 2021 – a 39% increase from 2020.

Fentanyl has replaced heroin as the dominant opioid in the state, and counterfeit prescription pills laced with it play a large role in the number of overdoses.

The first of two Narcan towers to be installed in the city was recently launched in West Philadelphia.

Mayor Jim Kenney said they have lost too many Philadelphians to the overdose crisis, which is why they are trying “new and novel ideas to help save lives.” He said the Naloxone Near Me Towers are “exactly the bold response they need … to ensure lifesaving naloxone is available 24 hours a day in areas that need it.”

The locker-type towers are part of the local health department’s harm reduction and overdose response program, and contain 22 overdose prevention kits that can be accessed by tapping a touch screen on the front of the device. In the case of an emergency, the kiosk can connect directly to 911.

Xylazine is not an opioid, so Narcan will not reverse its effects. However, because it is almost always found in combination with opioids, the use of Narcan is recommended whenever an opioid-involved overdose is suspected.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warns that xylazine is making fentanyl, “the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced,” even deadlier.

Of the fentanyl-laced counterfeit prescription pills analyzed by them in 2022, six of 10 contained lethal doses of the drug compared to four out of 10 found in 2021.

In 2022, the agency seized more than 57.9 million fentanyllaced fake pills and more than 13,400 pounds of fentanyl powder – equivalent to more than 400 million lethal doses of fentanyl. To put that in perspective, 2 mg of fentanyl – an amount that would fit on the tip of a pencil –is a potentially deadly dose.

in the Southern District of Illinois federal court where a ruling on whether to block the law is pending before a judge.

“He is not bound by the decision that was reached earlier here in Chicago, so he could come out differently, but he is in the Seventh Circuit, so whatever the Seventh Circuit does now on appeal from the Chicago case will also be binding on the judge in East St. Louis,” Mr. Schmidt said.

The timing of the cases is unclear, but it’s expected whichever way the cases go, the ultimate decision will be up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The arguments come down to

whether governments can restrict access to certain guns after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year changed the standard for how courts are to deal with such measures. Gun rights groups argue the government cannot ban commonly owned semiautomatic firearms like the AR15. Gun control groups and the state argue they have the power to ban “unusual and dangerous” firearms.

The federal cases are separate from the state-level challenges, where there are four pending cases, including one from state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, that will be heard by the Illinois Supreme Court next month.

Most agents unsure how cannabis dispensaries affect property values

By BRETT ROWLAND THE CENTER SQUARE

(The Center Square) – How cannabis dispensaries affect real estate values remains unclear for many real estate agents across the country, even in states where recreational marijuana has been legal for years.

A survey by the National Association of Realtors conducted in March 2023 found that 44% of real estate agents in states where recreational marijuana has been legal since 2018 reported no change in commercial property values near dispensaries. In those states where recreational cannabis had been legal the longest – California, Alaska, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Maine, Massachusetts and Colorado – 15% of agents said commercial property values near dispensaries had declined slightly and 3% said values decreased substantially. Additionally, 7% of respondents reported values increased slightly and 3% reported values increased substantially.

States with legal prescription cannabis were more likely to report increased values, 17%, that’s compared to 9% in states where recreational and prescription cannabis has been legalized since 2018, according to the survey.

The results for residential real estate values were just as muddy. Eighty-three percent of respondents in states where recreational and prescription cannabis had been legal before 2018 reported either no change (35%) in residential values near dispensaries or were not sure (48%). In states where recreational and prescription cannabis has been legalized since 2018, the number of respondents who were not sure was 55%.

“I think part of not being sure is it’s very hard to attribute this specifically to value changes,”

NAR Senior Research Survey Analyst Matt Christopherson told The Center Square. “But on top of that, we’ve had a continued increase in home prices for a couple of years. So it’s hard to pinpoint if the changes are due to marijuana legalization or

simply due to low inventory and continued buyer demand.”

Another takeaway from the report: “Largely what we see is it does not really affect the property values, residentially, at least,” Mr. Christopherson said. Cannabis legalization has affected many parts of the real estate industry. NAR, the largest real estate trade organization, tracked what legalization trends mean for the industry. Its 2023 Marijuana and Real Estate survey was emailed to a random sample of 75,000 residential real estate agents and 53,000 commercial real estate agents. It received 3,291 responses, for an overall response rate of 2.6%.

Realtors reported seeing a decline in commercial property purchases by marijuana industryrelated businesses and a corresponding increase in leasing activity, according to the new study, “The 2023 Marijuana and Real Estate: A Budding Issue.”

The report examines the effects of marijuana legality on various aspects of real estate. The survey polled NAR members and divided the responses by states that have legalized medical marijuana only and states that have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use both before and after 2018.

In states that legalized recreational marijuana in the past five years, 18% of commercial agents reported an increase in property purchasing over leasing in the past year by marijuana businesses. That’s down from 29% in 2021. For states that legalized cannabis more than five years ago, 14% reported an increase (compared with 20% in 2021). In states where only medical marijuana is legal, 4% reported an increase, a drop from 21% in 2021. “State laws have evolved to legalize the use of prescription and recreational marijuana,” Jessica Lautz, the group’s deputy chief economist and vice president of research, said in a statement. “As more states adopt cannabis laws, Realtors® are at the forefront of commercial real estate activity and are working with clients to find land, warehouses and storefronts for this growing business.”