California's Agriculture Department Now Accepting Grant Applications For Cannabis Study

Outdoor cannabis cultivators in California can now apply for up to $2,500,000 to fund their own research, as long as that research helps develop environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will be accepting grant applications until December 30 for the Sustainable California Grown Cannabis (SCGC) pilot study, according to a recent announcement.

The SCGC pilot study was commissioned by the state’s Senate Bill 170, which allocated $9 million to the program.

The CDFA says it will award up to $7.5 million to eligible organizations, which can include resource conservation districts, University of California colleges, private universities located within California, non-profits, and federally-recognized Native American tribes.

Applicants must propose a study that will focus on either sustainable water and energy use, pest management and fertilizer practices, or overall ecological health.

The CDFA will host an informational webinar on November 18 to provide more information on the program. Further details can be found here.