Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/856465
O wners of Big Sur Canna+Botanicals, Aram Stoney and John DeFloria, got a welcome piece of news on June 14, 2017. After hearing suppor t from neighbors such as the Barnyard Shopping Village and other busi- nesses, the Monterey County Planning Commission unanimously approved their appli- cation to launch a retail medical marijuana busi- ness in Carmel. "We have been operating as a delivery busi- ness since 2014," DeFloria says. "And we're excited to be the first retail operation to open in unincorporated Monterey County." "The community came out to show their support," Stoney says. "And I think that says a lot about John and myself." Indeed, these are not fly-by-night cannabis carpetbaggers. Stoney is a Peninsula native and DeFloria has called the area home since 1976. Both live with their families in Carmel Valley. "We're engrained in the community and under- stand the need," Stoney explains. "There is a misunderstanding about what we do," Stoney says. "We are part of the healing and medical community. As such, we work indi- vidually with people to find the right products to help with their ailments. We ae all about con- sultation, education and knowledge." Big Sur Canna+Botanicals is set to open by Labor Day 2017 at 26352 Carmel Rancho Lane in Carmel. Visit www.bigsurcannabotanicals.com for more information and hours. SHORTCUTS BUSINESS 92 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 7 Monterey County Okays Carmel Cannabis Clinic B Y M I C H A E L C H AT F I E L D John DeFloria and Aram Stoney recently received approval from the Monterey County Planning Commission to open medical marijuana business Big Sur Canna + Botanicals. Photo: KelliUldall