Project Overview

The Cannabis Research Center carried out a two-year study (2021-2023) on intergovernmental consultation between Native American Tribes and public agencies on cannabis permitting in California, analyzed and shared our results, and developed tools to support Tribes through the consultation process. Specifically, we considered resource protection under Assembly Bill 52, which requires public agencies to consult with Tribes during the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process. The research team worked closely with a Tribal Advisory Committee on each project phase to assess and evaluate Tribal and Agency experiences with and perceptions of the cannabis permitting process, Tribal consultation, and impacts to Tribal Cultural Resources. We conducted two statewide surveys, one for agency representatives and one for Tribal representatives, and over 60 semi-structured interviews with Tribal Chairs, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, cultural resource managers, state and local planners, and cannabis growers. By compiling and sharing these results and resources, our goal is to strengthen Tribal sovereignty over cannabis permitting in California.

Key Findings

• Given that cannabis tends to be grown on flat, south-facing parcels near water, there is a high probability of spatial coincidence of cannabis and Tribal cultural resources (TCRs).
• While state statutes that mandate consultation on potential impacts to TCRs are increasing the frequency of consultation statewide, meaningful consultation is undermined by inadequate resources, information gaps, and agency discretion, resulting in power imbalances between Tribes and agencies and other systemic challenges.
• Many Tribal representatives we interviewed expressed concern around changing policies for legal recreational cannabis in California.
• Our research revealed vast differences in geographic information system (GIS) capacity among Tribes.
• Many Tribal representatives reported that Tribal Consultation was lacking or entirely absent from cannabis projects in their jurisdictions.

Research Products

• A customizable Consultation Policy Template and supplemental materials Tribes can use to guide agencies through government-to-government consultation from the Tribe’s perspective.
• Three publications about our study findings, which support the need for increased Tribal sovereignty in land use decisions, robust Tribal consultation policies, and Native community involvement in Extension activities (another three are in development).
• GIS layer and Mapping Tools for protecting Tribal Cultural Resources from cannabis development, while ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive information
• A webinar and a participatory workshop on intergovernmental relations, AB 52 and other topics.
• A Project Report including guidelines for California’s Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) to consider in future funding, regulation, and programming.

Resources for Tribes

Below is a collection of information and resources to help Tribal representatives navigate cannabis policy and protect Tribal Cultural Resources.

• Cannabis policy and land use ordinances
• Mapping technology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Tribal Consultation

See all info at