1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814Cannabis Appellations Program
On February 20, 2020, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) released the proposed regulations for the appellations of origin for cannabis. The release of these regulations marks the official start of a 45-day public comment period provided under California law. All interested parties are encouraged to submit comments about the proposed regulations.
An appellation of origin is a protected designation that identifies the geographical origin of a product and how that product was produced. CDFA’s Cannabis Appellations Program will promote regional cannabis products and local businesses, prevent the misrepresentation of a cannabis product’s origin, and support consumer confidence about a cannabis product’s origin and characteristics.
Per Business and Professions Code Section 26063(b), CDFA is required to develop the process by which state-licensed cannabis cultivators may establish appellations of origin by January 1, 2021. CDFA proposes amendments to Chapter 1, and adoption of Chapter 2, within Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations, to develop the process for establishing cannabis appellations of origin and provide additional clarification on the use of county of origin.
Comments on the proposed regulations may be submitted until Monday, April 6, 2020, via email to CDFA.CalCannabis_Appellations@cdfa.ca.gov or by mail to:
California Department of Food and AgricultureAttention: Kristi Armstrong
CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing
Proposed Appellations Regulations
P.O. Box 942871
Sacramento, CA 94271
Verbal comments also may be made or submitted in writing at the public hearing on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, from 1pm to 3pm, in the CDFA Auditorium at 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
For tips on how to make effective comments about the proposed appellations regulations, please see “How to Submit Your Comments.”
Proposed Appellations Regulatory Materials
- Cannabis Appellations Program: Proposed Regulations
- Cannabis Appellations Program: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- Cannabis Appellations Program: Initial Statement of Reasons
Public Meetings
- Cannabis Appellations: Public Hearing on the Proposed Regulations, Tuesday, April 14, 2020, Notice
September 2018 Statewide Public Workshop Materials
To gain stakeholder feedback and input, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) hosted six public outreach sessions across the state in the fall of 2018, and CDFA has continued to collaborate with experts and industry associations as the Cannabis Appellations Program has developed.
Alerts and Licensee Information Look Up a Cannabis
Cultivation License