Conservation in Cannabis
Cannabis is a newly legal agricultural sector in California that is still rapidly evolving. CARCD is assisting RCDs in the development of Fee-for-Service programs related to conservation in cannabis by connecting local and state stakeholders, financial support, legal counsel, and partnership opportunities.
What is GRASS-C? Growing Responsible And Socially Sustainable Cannabis
GRASS-C was created by Resource Conservation Districts responding to the need for guidance on watershed best management practices by their local regulated cannabis growing community. It started out as a self-assessment tool for outdoor cannabis cultivators seeking to see how they measure up on the spectrum of implementing watershed best management practices. It has grown into a tiered market-incentive certification program for environmentally and socially responsible cannabis production in California. GRASS-C is spearheaded by Upper Salinas Las Tablas, Coastal San Luis, Cachuma, and Mendocino Resource Conservation Districts.
GRASS-C recognizes the high bar of land stewardship requirements woven into regulatory requirements. GRASS-C is in alignment with those regulations, and it raises the bar for stewardship and social sustainability a little further. It is useful as a self assessment tool, and takes on more value when a grower decides to get certified by a Resource Conservation District.
If you have questions, please contact Nancy at nancy-wahlscheurich@carcd.org for more information.
Since early 2018, California has made drastic leaps in creating the framework for the new legalized cannabis industry. CalCannabis, a branch of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, has moved from offering temporary licenses to issuing annual licenses to producers. The dozen other regulatory agencies have refined the rules and regulations, are publicly disseminating information, and have invited CARCD and the RCDs to join this effort. There has been an onset of new legislation. The dust is beginning to settle and the wave of licensees are beginning to find their footing.
Although the State and cannabis producers are making headway, there is still critical work to accomplish. Many cannabis producers struggle to comprehend the rationale behind environmental regulations and the conservation practices used to attain compliance. It is critical that RCDs step into the supporting role as a liaison and conservation advocate. CARCD has made significant progress in creating a framework that benefits the RCDs and other cannabis stakeholders. Most notably, the industry groups and producers have voiced their need for a trusted consultant to provide technical expertise and have recognized RCDs as an ideal partner.
With generous funding from the Resources Legacy Fund made possible by the Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, CARCD has followed the regulatory, political, and industry movement while creating partnerships and enhancing our visibility. Valuable relationships have been made with the environmental agencies involved in cannabis, as well as with the California Growers Association and local chapters. A few RCDs are collaborating with CARCD in the development of a fee-for-service program for the 8 RCDs that are within counties with outdoor and greenhouse cultivation. CARCD has working with our legal team to explore options to ensure safety and avoid federal implication. Through these conversations, CARCD has outlined two program options for the RCDs to adopt.
This work has been invaluable to understand cannabis at the systems level, while allowing us to make local level connections. Each stakeholder has meet us with enthusiasm and encouragement. A primary need that both the industry groups and the regulatory bodies have expressed is the translation of environmental scientific language in literature and mandates. RCDs have been holding this intermediary space for decades and have the capability to continue with this particular crop. Both groups have also voiced an eagerness to connect cannabis producers with conservation experts that will educate and advocate for the best methods of land and water stewardship on cannabis farms.
CARCD will continue to delve into this new arena that has an untapped potential to enhance conservation and the resilience of California’s working lands.
Watershed Health in Cannabis Production
The Resource Conservation District of Mendocino County has a valuable resource, the Watershed Best Management Practices for Cannabis Growers and other Rural Gardeners, which you can find on their Resource Library page in both English and Spanish. We are excited to share their new video, Best Management Practices for Cannabis Growers, which is a visual version of their guide.
