Inside the Research: Big Sur Community Meeting

Join us for the next stop on the Legacy Cannabis Genetics: People and Their Plants tour—a community meeting designed to bring together cultivators, researchers, policy experts, and local residents for a two-day, open-format gathering focused on California's cannabis heritage.

This project is grounded in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and centers the knowledge, stories, and lived experiences of the cultivators and communities who have long defined California cannabis, many of whom have been historically excluded from recognition and protection.

This is not a formal lecture or panel. It's an invitation to meet the research team, hear updates on the project, ask questions, and participate in shaping this shared body of work. Whether you've attended a past event or are joining for the first time, your presence is welcome.

About The Study-

Funded by a $2.7 million grant from the California Department of Cannabis Control, Legacy Cannabis Genetics: People and Their Plants is a multi-year research initiative co-led by Cal Poly Humboldt, LeafWorks, the Oral History Center at UC Berkeley, Origins Council, and United CORE Alliance. Together, the Legacy Cannabis Genetics research team is implementing a community-first approach to documenting and protecting California's cannabis genetics and cultural history.

The study combines oral history, herbarium science, and cannabis policy research to preserve genetic diversity, define and protect regional cultivation identities, support equitable intellectual property frameworks, and amplify the voices of communities that have been historically excluded from formal recognition. These community meetings are a core part of that process—offering space for transparency, connection, and shared direction as the research unfolds.

Project Leadership:

• Dr. Dominic Corva, Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor of Sociology, Cal Poly Humboldt
• Genine Coleman, Co-Principal Investigator, Executive Director, Origins Council
• Khalil Ferguson, President and CEO, United Core Alliance
• Dr. Todd Holmes, Principal Investigator, Historian, Oral History Center at the Bancroft Library, UC Berkeley
• Dr. Eleanor Kuntz, Principal Investigator, Co-Founder of Canndor, and CEO of LeafWorks
• Hannah L. Nelson, Esq., OC Research, Education and Development Program Advisor

What to Expect:

Arrival + Networking (60 min): Meet the team and connect with other attendees

Project Presentation (60 min): The Research team will present on the study's objectives, progress, and how to get involved

Open Q&A (30 min): Bring your questions, ideas, and insights

Break (30 min)

Breakout Sessions (60 min): herbarium demo and breakout discussions about research topics

The format is flexible—

Come when you can, stay as long as you'd like, and participate at your comfort level.

Topics Explored:

• Cannabis and cultural memory: the power of oral histories
• Herbarium science: plant documentation and naming conventions for cultivarsRegional naming and cultivation identities
• Sequencing: Using population genetics science to understand biodiversity
• Public policy and legal tools to protect genetic and cultural resources
• How communities can shape research, not just be studied by it

Accessibility & Participation Notes

• The venue is wheelchair accessible
• Free and open to all—walk-ins welcome
• RSVP encouraged to help us plan
• Please register each attendee individually
• Cannabis consumption permitted in accordance with venue guidelines
• Informal seating and late arrivals accommodated

Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. Be part of this groundbreaking event and contribute to the preservation and understanding of California's rich cannabis heritage.

Please register each attendee individually. This ensures that we have accurate information for each participant and can provide the best possible experience. Thank you for your cooperation!

Marketing Permissions

By registering, you consent to receive updates from the Legacy Cannabis Genetics project. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Photo/Video Release

By attending, you understand that photos and/or video may be taken to support future educational and outreach efforts. You may opt out of being photographed on-site by speaking with an event organizer.

For more information, visit: www.legacygenetics.org