Real Talk: Up in Smoke-Medical Marijuana

Real Talk, the public affairs program hosted by Jerry Roberts, and which airs on The Santa Barbara Channels, Channel 21 is tackling the topic of local pot dispensaries and is looking for studio guests who might want to be part of the conversation.

Medical marijuana has been legalized by the State of California. Local dispensaries are licensed by the City of Santa Barbara, while other municipalities are considering how to handle them. Should they be regulated and monitored more closely? Why do we have more than the city of Oakland? Should they be taxed? How do neighbors of medical marijuana dispensaries feel? Should local government limit the number of them and make sure the locations are spread over town or allow them to be concentrated in just a few neighborhoods? Will taxing marijuana dispensaries legitimize marijuana and lead to its legalization? Or has it already been effectively legalized by lax regulations on medical marijuana prescriptions?

These and other related topics will be the focus of the next edition of Real Talk, a Santa Barbara Forum: “Up in Smoke- Medical Marijuana” which will be recorded on Wednesday, August 12th, 10 am-12 noon. Citizens wishing to be studio guests and possible participants should contact the station at forum@sbchannels.tv. Viewers having questions to ask the panel should send them to the same email address.

Real Talk: Prop 13-Time for Change? now on SBTV21

Across our country, people have often looked to California for innovation. To many the impetus for a nationwide tax revolt got its start in 1978 when California voters passed Proposition 13 which resulted in not only a cap on property taxes but which also included language establishing a two-thirds majority in both houses of the state legislature for any state tax increase. To some Prop 13 is the “third rail” (untouchable topic) but to others it is now seen as the root cause of California’s current budget crisis.

Prop 13 was the topic for a new episode of Real Talk, A Santa Barbara Forum, a public affairs program produced by The Santa Barbara Channels, and the fifth in the Real Talk series. Host/moderator Jerry Roberts welcomed Joe Armendariz, a member of the Carpinteria City Council, and Susan Rose, former Santa Barbara County Supervisor, to argue the pros and cons of Prop 13 and whether it’s time to challenge it.

Real Talk: Proposition 13 – Time for a Change? was recorded in front of a live studio audience who also had the opportunity to participate. The program explores how Prop 13 shapes the relationship between state and local government, whether it is still needed, whether there should be a different standard applied to business property than to residences, and delves into many other related issues.

“It’s a lively, informative, and balanced discussion of an important topic to all of us,” commented Hap Freund, Executive Director of The Santa Barbara Channels. “We’re appreciative that Jerry, Joe and Susan offered viewers their time and insights.”

Real Talk- Proposition 13- Time for a Change? will repeat for several weeks on the following dates and times:
Sundays at 7 PM.
Mondays at Noon and 8:30 PM
Wednesdays at Midnight and 5 PM
Fridays at Noon and 8:30 PM
Saturdays at 7 PM