{"id":217,"date":"2026-01-14T13:45:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T21:45:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/?p=217"},"modified":"2026-01-22T10:26:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T18:26:01","slug":"update-on-cannabis-appellations-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2026\/01\/14\/update-on-cannabis-appellations-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Update on Cannabis Appellations Program\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

OARS has been working on the preparation of a rulemaking to make amendments to the Cannabis Appellations of Origin program<\/a> (CAP). The CAP was established through voter-initiative with the passage of Proposition 64 in 2016 and CDFA is responsible for establishing the rules for participation in the program and administration of the program. An appellation of origin legally defines products and production methods of specified geographic regions, protecting them from false or misleading labelling and marketing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CDFA\u2019s CAP incorporates aspects and traits of various established appellation programs for agricultural products throughout the world, like wine, and applies them to the context of the California cannabis industry. The program will only be available to licensed outdoor cannabis cultivators. Cultivators must submit a petition in accordance with regulations to establish an appellation of origin. This program will promote regional cannabis products and local businesses, prevent the misrepresentation of a cannabis product\u2019s origin, and support consumer confidence about a cannabis product\u2019s origin and characteristics.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CDFA released the latest rulemaking on January 2, 2026. A 45-day public comment period will run until midnight on February 17, 2026. The proposed changes reduce the number of cultivators per appellation of origin petition from 3 to 1 and provide clarity on the usage of names in conflict with an approved appellation of origin. To learn more about the program, the open rulemaking, and how to comment, please visit the program\u2019s webpage at cdfa.ca.gov\/oars\/cap<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the rulemaking proceeds, we look forward to updating stakeholders and the public on the program\u2019s opening, currently expected for summer 2026. For questions, please contact the program directly at CannabisAg@cdfa.ca.gov<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

OARS has been working on the preparation of a rulemaking to make amendments to the Cannabis Appellations of Origin program (CAP). The CAP was established through voter-initiative with the passage of Proposition 64 in 2016 and CDFA is responsible for establishing the rules for participation in the program and administration of the program. An appellation of origin legally defines products and production … Continue reading Update on Cannabis Appellations Program\u00a0<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":218,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[3],"class_list":["post-217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-informational","tag-information","fallback-thumbnail"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AdobeStock_164220995-scaled.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":150,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/07\/28\/cdfa-looks-to-get-ahead-of-invasive-agricultural-pests\/","url_meta":{"origin":217,"position":0},"title":"CDFA Looks to Get Ahead of Invasive Agricultural Pests","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"July 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"California leads the nation in specialty crop production, growing more than 400 different crops across its diverse agricultural landscape. 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Additionally, I want to take this opportunity to summarize the funding status of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Informational"","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"August 2025 OARS Director Report","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Blog-image-3-2.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/02\/01\/boosting-soil-health-a-walnut-growers-success-story-with-the-healthy-soils-program\/","url_meta":{"origin":217,"position":3},"title":"Boosting Soil Health: A Walnut Grower’s Success Story with the Healthy Soils Program","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"February 1, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Farming practices are rapidly evolving, and sustainability is at the forefront of this transformation. In this case study, we explore how a California walnut grower successfully enhanced soil health, improved water conservation, and reduced pest issues by leveraging the Healthy Soils Program (HSP). Through a strategic combination of composting, mulching,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Producer Success Story"","block_context":{"text":"Producer Success Story","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/producer-success-story\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Walnut Orchard","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Website-Photography-19.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":87,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/03\/28\/water-efficiency-technical-assistance-weta-program-supports-producers-with-no-cost-irrigation-system-evaluations-and-pump-efficiency-tests\/","url_meta":{"origin":217,"position":4},"title":"Water Efficiency Technical Assistance (WETA) Program Supports Producers with No-Cost Irrigation System Evaluations and Pump Efficiency Tests","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"March 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"As the 2025 irrigation season is upon us in California, farmers can consider reaching out to a technical assistance provider funded by the OARS Water Efficiency Technical Assistance (WETA) program. WETA provides funds to technical assistance providers to complete irrigation system evaluations and pump efficiency tests, as well as provide\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Informational"","block_context":{"text":"Informational","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/category\/informational\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2015_40-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":171,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/oars-blog\/index.php\/2025\/07\/28\/investing-in-impact-how-the-oars-team-helps-deliver-climate-solutions-on-california-dairy-and-livestock-farms\/","url_meta":{"origin":217,"position":5},"title":"Investing in Impact: How the OARS Team Helps Deliver Climate Solutions on California Dairy and Livestock Farms\u00a0","author":"Sureena Johl","date":"July 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The CDFA Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) is dedicated to supporting California's dairy and livestock farmers in their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 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