The present technology provides trichome specific promoters of cannabinoid biosynthesis enzyme genes from Cannabis, nucleotide sequences of the trichome specific promoters, and uses of the promoters for modulating the production of cannabinoids and other compounds in organisms. The present technology also provides chimeric genes, vectors, and transgenic cells and organisms, including plant cells and plants, comprising the trichome specific promoters. Also provided are methods for expressing nucleic acid sequences in cells and organisms using the trichome specific promoters.