Cannabis Terroir Program Gets Governor’s Signature

After years of lobbying efforts, California will soon get a verified appelations of origin program to confirm the geographic origin of cannabis products sold in California.

Senate Bill 67 was authored by Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) and Assemblymembers Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) and Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale). It was signed into law by the governor last week. It creates standards by which a licensed cultivator may claim a place (city, county) of origin for their product.

Senate Bill 67 could be a game-changer for cannabis-producing regions like Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity counties. It had strong support from local officials in the Emerald Triangle.

“This legislation is a huge step forward for Mendocino County’s heritage cannabis farmers” which “will provide sustainable economic development by connecting craft cannabis to our land and help to support our heritage farmers in preserving and securing their genetic resources, cultural resources, and land holdings,” said Mendocino Supervisor John Haschak after the bill’s passage in June. 

“The governor’s signature on SB 67 reflects a deep commitment to the success of California’s licensed small legacy farmers, support for the regions in which they produce and a hope that this program will help preserve their rightful place in the legal market for years to come,” said Nicole Elliott, Senior Cannabis Advisor to the governor.