Cannabis Appellations Program (CAP)
Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability
Now Open for Public Comment
Proposed amendments to the Cannabis Appellations Program were released January 2, 2026. Comments accepted through February 17, 2026.
About the Cannabis Appellations Program (CAP)
An appellation of origin is a protected designation that identifies the geographical origin of a product and typically includes production requirements. Appellations celebrate and protect the unique qualities of place-based cultivation, preserving local heritage while helping consumers identify the origin and associated characteristics of products—wine regions are famous examples of this system.
CDFA's Cannabis Appellations Program (CAP) applies this concept to cannabis cultivation, helping prevent the misrepresentation of a cannabis good's origin while promoting regional collaboration around cannabis production. The program facilitates cultivators in identifying how the soil, climate, growing methods, and plant varieties work together to create a unique product that can't be replicated anywhere else.
History
The concept of appellations for California cannabis was first introduced in proposition 64 (2016), also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, which provided for recreational legalization of cannabis through a licensing structure. Voters approved Prop 64 and recreational sales of cannabis began January 2018. Since then, the CAP has undergone various rounds of revisions and refinement through legislation and rulemakings. Visit our regulatory archives page for a timeline of program history and regulatory documents.
Benefits
CDFA’s Cannabis Appellations Program will provide the opportunity for cultivators to establish appellations representing unique cannabis growing areas throughout the state. Established appellation names are protected in law and provide the opportunity for regions and communities to create a strong and vibrant agricultural economy centered around cannabis. Appellations will highlight a region’s unique environment, practices, history, and cultivars.
Consumers will also benefit from the program, by having more information regarding the origins of their products, how it was produced, specific practices and cultivars used in the region, and information on cultivation history and legacy in the area.
Eligibility
Licensed outdoor cannabis cultivators may submit a petition to establish an appellation of origin for their region. Cultivation of mature flowering plants must occur without the use of structures or artificial lights and be within the proposed appellation of origin boundary as specified in CA Business and Professions Code section 26063.
Program Status
CDFA has established initial regulations for the program but is in the process of finalizing key components and is not currently accepting petitions to establish an appellation of origin. CDFA has been coordinating with the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) to ensure all aspects of the program are consistent with commercial cannabis laws. CDFA anticipates opening the program for petitions beginning Summer 2026. Sign up for the program’s newsletter to receive updates.
January 2, 2026 Rulemaking
CDFA is proposing amendments to the appellations program. These include:
- Changing the minimum number of required cultivators per petition from 3 to 1
- Proposing language to provide clarity on when statutory requirements against misuse of an appellation of origin are in effect after Department approval and provide licensees meeting specific conditions of historical use of a name continues use for a limited period
- Correcting small errors in regards to authority and reference citations
Links to the proposed regulations and regulatory documents are below.
Comments on proposed regulations may be submitted until midnight on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 via email to CannabisAg@cdfa.ca.gov or by mail to:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Attention: Tawny Mata
Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability
Proposed Cannabis Appellations Regulations
1220 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
The department has not scheduled a public hearing on this proposed action. However, the Department will hold a hearing if it receives a written request for a public hearing from any interested person, or his or her authorized representative, no later than 15 days before the close of the written comment period.
Proposed Regulations and Regulatory Documents
Program Status
Closed
Program is not accepting applications at this time.