In the second quarter of 2025, California seized $476 million worth of illegal cannabis products. This operation was part of a coordinated effort by the Governor’s Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force (UCETF), co-led by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) and the Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW).
Governor Gavin Newsom announced that over 92 tons of illicit cannabis were confiscated between April and June. “I thank the federal, state, and local partners who conducted these enforcement efforts for protecting consumers and supporting our legal cannabis market,” said Newsom.
The UCETF received support from several state departments, including Tax and Fee Administration, Corrections and Rehabilitation, Parks and Recreation, Pesticide Regulation, Employment Development, and Forestry and Fire Protection.
From April to June, enforcement actions led to the eradication of 413,302 illegal cannabis plants, seizure of 185,873 pounds of illegal cannabis, service of 214 warrants, seizure of 77 firearms, and 93 arrests.
“Our teams continue to take an aggressive and proactive approach to eliminating unlicensed cannabis activities,” stated DCC Director Nicole Elliott. Nathaniel Arnold from CDFW noted that strategic operations significantly impacted illegal operators’ activities.
In May, UCETF executed its largest operation with participation from 200 officers across various agencies in the Central Valley. The operation resulted in the seizure of 105,700 illicit cannabis plants and processed cannabis valued at $123.5 million.
Since its establishment in 2022 by Governor Newsom, UCETF has enhanced collaboration among state agencies to combat illegal cannabis activities. To date, over 950 tons of illegal cannabis have been seized through more than 1,700 operations.
For more information on California’s legal cannabis market visit cannabis.ca.gov.
