Governor Gavin Newsom Announces California Destroyed $1.2 Billion in Illicit Cannabis Since 2022

California has seized and destroyed more than $1.2 billion worth of illegal cannabis since 2022, as part of efforts to protect public safety and reinforce the state’s regulated cannabis market.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced the milestone, highlighting enforcement actions aimed at curbing unlicensed cannabis cultivation, distribution, and sales across the state.

In 2025 alone, enforcement agencies destroyed illegal cannabis worth approximately $609 million, representing an 18-fold increase compared to the program’s first year, according to a statement released by Newsom’s office.

Authorities seized and destroyed 21,230 pounds of illicit cannabis valued at $33.6 million in 2022. The figures rose sharply in 2023, when approximately 198,000 pounds valued at $327.2 million were destroyed.

Seizures remained high in 2024, with more than 160,000 pounds of illicit cannabis destroyed, valued at $271.4 million. In 2025, enforcement recorded the highest totals at 377,010 pounds. Altogether, the task force has seized and destroyed 757,219 pounds of illicit cannabis, estimated at around $1.2 billion.

These seizures were carried out by the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force, a multi-agency group launched in 2022 by Governor Gavin Newsom to counter illegal cannabis activity.

The Governor’s Office said that in 2025, law enforcement agencies conducted 48 major operations across 23 counties, serving more than 250 search warrants in coordination with over 60 partner agencies, the statement noted. These efforts led to the destruction of 377,010 pounds of illegal cannabis and the eradication of nearly 590,000 plants. Authorities also made 23 arrests, seized 55 firearms, and confiscated $1.6 million in cash linked to illicit operations.

According to Newsom’s office, several counties emerged as major hotspots for illegal cannabis activity. Los Angeles County recorded the largest volume destroyed, with more than 88,000 pounds valued at $132 million.

Alameda County followed with over 81,000 pounds worth $134 million, while Monterey County saw nearly 78,000 pounds seized, valued at $128.5 million. Kern and Tulare counties also reported significant enforcement activity.

Beyond illegal cannabis, investigators uncovered additional criminal and civil violations during raids, including the use of banned and hazardous pesticides, labor trafficking, wage theft, environmental damage, and water-related violations.

Such practices pose serious risks to public health, exploit workers, and harm ecosystems, the statement noted.

Several large-scale operations took place in 2025. In May, a coordinated action across Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties led to the destruction of more than 105,000 plants and over 22,000 pounds of processed cannabis, with an estimated value exceeding $123 million.

In July, a major operation in Monterey County targeted a cultivation site, resulting in the destruction of 38 tons of illicit cannabis worth more than $125 million. In August, authorities shut down unlicensed distribution and retail locations in Los Angeles County, seizing cannabis products worth $27 million, along with cash and gold assets.

The task force’s work is co-chaired by the Department of Cannabis Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. More than a dozen state departments, along with local and federal partners, contribute expertise in areas ranging from environmental protection to labor enforcement. This model has been central to identifying and dismantling illegal operations across California, according to the statement.

State leaders emphasized that enforcement efforts go beyond cannabis violations alone, holding operators accountable for environmental, labor, and tax abuses. Authorities said California will continue this approach into 2026, reinforcing its commitment to a safe, regulated cannabis market while encouraging the public to rely on licensed businesses and report illegal activity.