Aug 20, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; California Gov. Gavin Newsom is seen on the floor with California delegates during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike De Sisti-USA TODAY
Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that California has made significant strides in tackling illegal cannabis operations, with over $316 million worth of illegal cannabis and $474,000 in cash seized since January 2025. This comes after a record-breaking year in 2024, when officials seized $534 million worth of illegal cannabis.
In addition to the massive cannabis seizures, authorities also took down 212,681 illicit cannabis plants, issued 99 warrants, and made 29 arrests. The crackdown also resulted in the confiscation of 35 firearms, shedding light on the dangerous nature of many illegal cannabis operations.
“As California’s legal cannabis market continues to grow, we’ve got to protect the public and make sure bad actors don’t mess things up for everyone,” said Governor Newsom. “Unlicensed, unregulated cannabis is a serious safety risk, and we’re committed to cleaning up the mess and supporting the legal market that so many people have worked so hard to build.”
These efforts are part of a larger initiative led by the Governor’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF), which brings together various state agencies and local law enforcement. Among the key partners are the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), the Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW), and local police departments, including those in Torrance and Oakland.
California’s regulated cannabis market is the largest in the world, and it’s a big deal for the state’s economy. The market brings in tax dollars that fund essential services like education, public health, and environmental programs. And it’s growing. According to recent reports, the legal cannabis sector is seeing stable prices and an increase in industry value.
Since 2019, the task force has seized over 800 tons (or 1.7 million pounds) of illegal cannabis worth an estimated $3.1 billion. This was all part of more than 1,500 enforcement operations across the state.
Governor Newsom also emphasized the state’s efforts to protect consumers from unsafe cannabis products. In response to rising concerns about intoxicating hemp products, new emergency regulations were introduced in September to limit THC levels in consumable hemp items. These regulations are aimed at protecting young people and reducing health risks associated with unregulated hemp products.
Since those rules were enacted, agents from the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) have visited over 9,200 locations, seizing more than 7,000 hemp products from 141 violators.
Through these actions, California is setting a strong example of how to balance a thriving legal cannabis industry with the need for safety and public protection.
