News: California Officials Fund New Project To Preserve And Protect ‘Legacy Cannabis’ Genetics And Culture.
Published 10:03 AM EST, Mon September 02, 2024
“Having been relegated to the shadows for the past 60 years, the legacy of California’s extraordinary cannabis is finally coming into the light,” said Genine Coleman, executive director of Origins Council, a group that represents rural cannabis growers. “This is a remarkable moment in our journey to full legalization of cannabis agriculture.
California has initiated a state-funded project to analyze the genetic information of various marijuana strains, with the goal of preserving the state’s rich cannabis cultivation history, particularly in legacy regions like the Emerald Triangle. The project, titled “Legacy Cannabis Genetics: People and Their Plants, a Community-Driven Study,” is a collaboration between several organizations, including the Origins Council, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, the University of California, Berkeley, LeafWorks, and the United CORE Alliance. This initiative, which began in 2022 and is set to conclude in 2026, aims to legally protect the genetic resources of legacy cannabis breeders and cultivation communities, ensuring that these valuable strains are recognized and safeguarded as intellectual property.
The project employs a community-based participatory research (CBPR) model, which ensures that historical cannabis-growing communities are actively involved in the research process. This approach includes genetic sequencing of cannabis strains, gathering oral histories, and developing educational resources focused on the intellectual property of cannabis genetics. The initiative is particularly significant for its focus on social equity, as it seeks to empower marginalized communities, including those affected by past cannabis law enforcement, ensuring they can participate and benefit from the legal cannabis industry.
The findings from this research are expected to support the development of California’s Cannabis Appellations Program, which aims to regulate and protect legacy cultivation regions similar to how regional wines are protected in France. Additionally, the project could address ongoing issues with the accuracy of cannabis strain labeling, leading to more transparent and reliable information for consumers. Meanwhile, the state legislature is also advancing bills that would allow small marijuana growers to sell directly to consumers at state-organized events, reflecting broader efforts to support local cannabis industries in the evolving regulatory landscape.
Source: Marijuana Moment
