Legacy Genetics Study Seeks Input from Cannabis Community

*SACRAMENTO, Calif.* — Taking a partnership approach that encourages
sharing the wisdom of personal experience and foments community engagement
in tandem with academic rigor and scientific expertise, the Legacy Cannabis
Genetics study (LCG) expanded its call for research participants from
legacy cannabis researchers.

“This project recognizes communities as the experts,” says Origins Council
executive director Genine Coleman.

“Community nominations will be used in the selection of research
participants. Stakeholders are welcome to nominate as often as they like.
Each nomination will be categorized, anonymized, and placed through the
selection process with the project’s Community Advisory Board and research
team.”

Research participants will help inform study in three areas: Herbarium
Science, Oral Histories, and Ethnography. A collaboration between Cal Poly
Humboldt, Origins Council, UC Berkeley, Canndor/LeafWorks and the United
Core Alliance, the LCG’s aim is twofold: To document and define
California’s cannabis legacy genetics and to explore and support regional
stewardship of these genetic resources. At the study’s core is a dedication
to developing a model methodology that preserves California’s historic
cannabis cultivars while acknowledging and celebrating the hard work done
by legally marginalized and often underserved communities. Connecting
directly with community members who have this knowledge and experience is
key.

“We look forward to this work establishing cultivar definitions that come
from the community itself,” explains LeafWorks’ Dr. Eleanor Kuntz, who is
overseeing the botanical portions of the project. “Our goal is to help
protect cannabis plant diversity. By documenting California’s cannabis
diversity through the creation of an herbarium collection, established
cultivation communities are acknowledged for and protected in their
breeding work.

“No one should ever be able to co-opt their work for profit,” Kuntz adds.
“We want to acknowledge and preserve the incredibly difficult efforts that
took individuals years to achieve for generations still to come.”
Community Meetings Schedule

Free and open to the public, the LCG’s Community Meetings program invites
legacy cannabis pioneers, stakeholders, and future industry leaders to
gather to meet with lead researchers, ask questions, and take part in
educational presentations, breakout discussions, and demonstrations.
Meetings are generally held 1pm-5pm and are supported by local community
organizations. Advance registration is recommended.
San Diego • Sun.-Mon., June 15-16

- Supported by United Core Alliance and Council of Equity Advocacy San
Diego
- Venue Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave., San Diego


1.

Bay Area • Fri.-Sat., June 20-21

- Note: This event is slated from 11am-3pm
- Supported by United Core Alliance and Equity Trade Network
- Venue Friday: Meadow HQ, 60 13th St., San Francisco
- Venue Saturday: Root’d in the 510 Dispensary, 4444 Telegraph Ave.,
Oakland


1.

Santa Cruz • Sun.-Mon., June 22-23

- Note: This event is from 2:30-6:30pm on Sunday; 1-5pm on Monday
- Supported by Central California Cannabis Club
- Venue Resource Center for NonViolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz


1.

Trinity • Fri.-Sat., June 27-28

- Supported by Trinity County Agriculture Alliance
- Venue North Fork Grange Hall, 131 Dutch Creek Road, Junction City


1.

Humboldt • Sun.-Mon., June 29-30

- Supported by Humboldt County Growers Alliance
- Venue Mateel Community Center, 59 Rusk Lane, Redway


1.

About Legacy Cannabis Genetics — People and Their Plants: A
Community-Driven Study

Funded by a $2.7 million dollar grant from the California Department of
Cannabis Control, the project incorporates public education and
Community-Based Participatory Research to implement the standard methods
and systems used across agriculture to define, document, and legally
protect as intellectual property the individual and collective genetic
resources of legacy cannabis breeders and legacy cannabis cultivation
communities.