State Of California Officially Promotes Marijuana Industry With New Campaign

The state of California is launching an educational outreach campaign meant to promote the marijuana industry and provide resources to help farmers secure and maintain cannabis cultivation licenses.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing division is spearheading the “This is California Cannabis” campaign, which involves community events and workshops to inform residents about licensing opportunities within the market and technical assistance they provide.

“CDFA is committed to the success of our state’s commercial cannabis cultivators,” Karen Ross, the secretary of the department, said in a press release. “’This is California Cannabis’ celebrates the passion and hard work of licensed cannabis growers and highlights how we’re all working together to protect and promote the health, safety and quality of the industry.”

This is California Cannabis.

California is home to some of the most resilient and dedicated cultivator communities.#growwithCA#WeAreProud#ThisIsCaliforniaCannabis#CaliforniaCannabispic.twitter.com/yWGfUaaxUr

— CalCannabis (@cal_cannabis) September 2, 2020

Another part of the outreach effort is a quarterly newsletter that will feature profiles of licensed cultivators, policy updates and tips. The department started by publishing three profiles of farmers based in Humboldt County, Santa Barbara County and Monterey County.

They also released several companion videos showcasing the farmers and highlighting how CDFA supports the industry and works with businesses to ensure that they’re in compliance.

“To live in Humboldt and to grow weed, it’s an amazing life,” CaliGardens owner Spencer Sanborn is shown saying in one of the state-funded videos. “We care about the people around us. If that can make it through, I’ll feel like I have succeeded.”

“You get to be a whole company. To be able to build out a whole team because you’re not trying to hide things is massive,” Christina DiPaci of Caliber Farms out of Monterey County said.

“We’re proud of California’s vibrant cannabis cultivator community,” Richard Parrott, director of CDFA’s CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division, said. “California is known for growing the best cannabis in the world and our licensed cultivators are leading the way with innovative practices and environmental sustainability.”

What makes the campaign unique is that it’s a state body not just providing resources to regulate the marijuana market but proactively reaching out and promoting the industry.

During California’s legislative session that ended this week, lawmakers approved bills to reform cannabis tax policy, promote marijuana business access to the banking system and create a state-regulated appellation program that’s designed to clarify where cannabis products are cultivated. A proposal to regulate hemp and CBD failed, however.

Meanwhile, a federal court recently ruled that California regulators must comply with a Drug Enforcement Administration subpoena demanding information about certain marijuana businesses as part of its investigation into potential illegal distribution of cannabis oil from Mexico.

As California Legislative Session Ends, Lawmakers Advance Some Marijuana Bills But Stall On CBD

Photo by Sam Doucette on Unsplash.