Is regional cannabis the future without federal legalization? What the wine industry can tell us!

Over the past year, there have been various ideas to scale up the cannabis industry. One of the most popular strategies has been for growers to consider identifying geographic locations where cannabis is prevalent. Producers said they had their idea of ​​appellation and terroir designations in agriculture and winemaking.

Terroir is a term used to describe the climate, soil and other environmental factors affecting the production of product batches in numerous sectors including those growing hops, coffee, maple syrup and chocolate. It is commonly used by the wine industry, which produces much wine in Northern California. On the other hand, an appellation is a geographic area specifically designated by law as a place where wine grapes were grown.

IIntegrating terroir into the cannabis industry

Terroir defines geographic locations, environmental features, circumstances, and influences that affect a plant’s genotype. These elements include soil type and growing methods for the altitude and environment.

The French Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) classification, a wine regulation and appellation system in France, is based on the concept of terroir. The basis for the AOC classification is that the grapes have distinctive characteristics that are unique to this region and its surroundings.

According to Mark A. Matthews, professor of viticulture and plant physiology at the University of California, the concept of terroir is a myth. In the professor’s book, Terroir and Other Myths of Wine Growing, he noted that climatic and geographic characteristics can affect plant growth and production. Mathews further explained that the term terroir is not precise in its definition and is mainly based on traditional beliefs.

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Some of the natural factors that make up terroir are species growing on, in and around plant plots, soil type, geomorphology, or the natural terrain of surrounding locations such as mountains, valleys, or water sources; Climate; and geomorphology.

Integrating the appellation into the cannabis industry

As previously mentioned, an appellation is a legally recognized and protected geographical area to indicate the exact place where the grapes for a wine were grown. However, in addition to the geographical restrictions, there are also restrictions, for example on the permitted grape varieties, the maximum grape yields and the alcohol content. Before an appellation name can be legally printed on a wine bottle label, other quality requirements must also be met. The country where the wine was made determines the regulations that apply to appellations.

For example, the United States uses the American Viticultural Area (AVA). An official appellation is provided by an AVA, which is a certified wine grape producing region in the United States that benefits both wineries and consumers.

Because the grapes grown in a given region can have very different characteristics, wineries want to inform their customers about the geographic origin of their wines. Well-informed customers are looking for specific wines from specific AVAs and wines from those AVAs in general. A special bottle of wine from a famous AVA can fetch high prices and attract a large following of loyal consumers.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), a division of the US Treasury Department, sets the limits of an AVA at the request of wineries and wine growers. At least 85% of the grapes used to make the wine must have been grown in the AVA if the AVA is listed on the bottle label. The wine must have been produced and fully matured in the country of origin of the AVA.

Some federal states have even more complex regulations. For example, California requires that all grapes used in winemaking come from the state and the wine is made entirely there. According to state law, 95% of the grapes in a Washington wine must be grown in Washington.

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Relationship between terroir, appellations and cannabis

The idea of ​​using “terroir” to identify the origin and environmental impact of a particular batch of cannabis has been debated several times. Terroir in the classic sense would not apply as cannabis is often grown in highly controlled environments or using commercial growing media, fertilisers, additives etc. In contrast, terroir focuses primarily on the natural environment in which wine is made.

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Furthermore, since no NPK fertilizer treatments or pH adjustments are made to the water or soil during the cultivation of grapes, it is impossible to apply the concepts of terroir and grape cultivation to the production of cannabis. The floor is still in its original condition. A given region’s terroir would be extolled without fertilizer, alterations, or pH adjustments, which are not ideal for growing high-quality cannabis.

Cannabis is manufactured and sold at the state level as it is banned at the federal level, making it a regionally produced and controlled product. Many cannabis plants are grown indoors, but other areas such as Northern California’s Emerald Triangle are already known for their prolific outdoor cannabis production. As former hemp producers prepare their products for sale to adults, the Hudson Valley area of ​​New York could become increasingly important.

RELATED: Emerald Triangle: Does the World’s Best Weed Really Grow There?

The boundary of the proposed appellation, the acreage, the type of structures used for cultivation (if any), and a “description and evidence of the heritage, history, reputation, and economic importance of cannabis production in the region” are some of the details California corporations’ appellate filings must include per final CDFA regulations.

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Additionally, per CDFA requirements, applications for California appellations include details on “geographical attributes,” including regional temperatures, elevations, and more. According to the laws, petitioners must provide “strong evidence that the geographic region differs from locations beyond the proposed boundary and other relevant locations where cannabis is grown for sale in the market”.

bottom line

Labels can play an important role in evaluation and categorization when cannabis is legalized at the federal level. A cannabis label can easily include any desirable attributes in addition to the proposed basic appellation standards, just like a wine label can indicate location and production method on a product’s label. Humboldt County growers who grow indoors and outdoors can also specify the exact microclimate and whether they’re doing it indoors, outdoors, or in a greenhouse.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.