UCLA Partners with Terpene Belt Farms to Research Cannabis Flavors

LOS ANGELES – Terpene Belt Farms, a subsidiary of Nexus Agriscience, has been selected as the industry partner in a University of California-led research funded by a $1.23 million grant from the California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).

Announced in late December 2025, this two-year project, titled “Characterization of Naturally Occurring Organoleptic Compounds for Inhalable Cannabis Regulation,” was part of a broader $30 million round of academic grants across Cannabis studies.

The project seeks to create California’s first Flower Flavor-Compound Reference Dataset (FRD) of organoleptic compounds that will help regulators establish scientifically validated concentration ranges for natural terpenes and differentiate authentic plant-derived flavors from prohibited non-Cannabis additives. California law currently bans such additives in the category of inhalable Cannabis products to protect public health, particularly from risks associated with synthetic flavorings.

The grant supports efforts to inform evidence-based policy updates at the DCC while advancing consumer safety and compliance standards in the state’s regulated market. Terpene Belt Farms brings industry expertise in terpene science and cultivation to the collaboration.

This work arrives as California continues to refine its Cannabis regulations through data-driven approaches, part of a broader state investment in academic research to address public health, equity, and market integrity issues. As part of a series of terpene-related studies, the project highlights the ongoing regulatory focus on the product composition and labeling of Cannabis products like vapes and pre-rolls.