Publication

Cannabis Impacts on Native Lands: On the Need for Inclusion of Native Perspectives in Extension Work
2025
Journal of Extension
Sorgen, J., LaRosa, S., Sowerwine, J., Butsic, V., Nelson, P., McCavour, M., Gaughen, S., Starkey, A.
Map of California showing Indian Tribes' ancestral territories.
Our researchers and Tribal Advisory Committee found widespread concern among Native communities about environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation. These concerns underscore the need to include Native communities in Extension activities across all regions and sectors.
Summary

This article highlights the need for Cooperative Extension to increase awareness of Tribal concerns around activities that impact land, natural resources, and water. A research team at UC Berkeley worked with a Tribal Advisory Committee to conduct a survey of Tribal representatives’ perceptions of cannabis impacts on Native lands and cultural resources. The results show that there is widespread concern among Native communities about the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation, especially to water quality, access, and availability. These concerns underscore the need to include Native communities in Extension’s agricultural and natural resource activities across all regions and sectors.