Santa Barbara Talks Podcast 62: Das Williams

Das Williams grew up poor in Isla Vista, dropped out of high school, lived in his RV for six months while attending Santa Barbara City College, and then met two professors, Dr. Manou Eskandari and Dr. John Kay, who instilled a belief in himself. Williams' SBCC experience helped his transfer to UC Berkeley and eventually UCSB. Williams served seven years on the Santa Barbara City Council, six years in the California State Assembly, and now is in his fifth year as a member of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. Williams tenure as county supervisor, however, has been marred, by allegations that sold out to the cannabis industry in exchange for support and financial donations. Williams says the county's cannabis policy legalized a black market industry and made it safer for use. Still Carpinteria residents complain of odors from cannabis growers. In this podcast, Williams also talks about his critics, his view on why his lost the Coastal Commission appointment, and how he handles adversity.