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 [email protected] or by mail to:

California Department of Food and Agriculture
Attention: 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 more information and to read the proposed cannabis appellations regulations, please visit CDFA’s CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division website at calcannabis.cdfa.ca.gov, and click on “CalCannabis Appellations Project.” For tips on how to make effective comments about the proposed appellations regulations, please see “How to Submit Your Comments.”

CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing is a division of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. For more information on the state’s commercial cannabis cultivation licensing process, please visit CalCannabis.cdfa.ca.gov, call toll-free 1-833-CALGROW, or send an email to [email protected].