California touts seizure of $316M in unlicensed cannabis in first quarter
- Jason Beck
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
April 14, 2025
California authorities have seized more than $316 million in unlicensed cannabis and $474,000 in cash in the first quarter of 2025.
That’s according to Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose office also noted in a news release that ramped-up enforcement – a key initiative for the Department of Cannabis Control – since January included:
The seizure of 212,681 illicit cannabis plants and 35 firearms.
99 warrants.
29 arrests.
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“As California’s legal cannabis market expands, we have a responsibility to crack down on the nefarious actors that put public health at risk and undermine the progress we’ve made,” Newsom said in a statement.
“Unlicensed, unregulated products threaten consumer safety and jeopardize the integrity of this industry.”
Several law enforcement and regulatory agencies contributed to the investigations and seizures:
Department of Cannabis Control.
Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force, which was established in 2022.
Department of Fish & Wildlife.
California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
California Department of Pesticide Regulations.
Torrance and Oakland police departments.
Alameda District Attorney’s Office.
Since Newsom’s emergency regulations in September that eliminated 90%-95% of hemp retail products, agents from California’s Alcoholic Beverage Control have visited 9,251 locations and seized more than 7,000 hemp products from 141 violators.
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In March, the state’s health department extended the temporary ban to at least June for any products with a detectable level of hemp-derived THC.
The state said it seized and/or eradicated unregulated cannabis products valued at $544 million in 2024, though government estimates are often exaggerated.
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