California Seized $312 Million Worth of Cannabis in 2023
In 2023, the California Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce (UCETF) seized cannabis valued at $312 million (27.5 billion rubles). Despite these efforts, law enforcement was only able to confiscate a small portion of the illegal cannabis circulating in the state.
Key Seizures by UCETF in 2023
- 86.1 tons of marijuana
- 317,834 cannabis plants
- 119 firearms
- $223,809 in cash (19.7 million rubles)
Analysts estimate that California’s black market for cannabis is twice the size of the regulated market. Last year, licensed cannabis retailers generated about $5.2 billion (458 billion rubles) in sales. This means the underground market for cannabinoid products was approximately $10.4 billion (916 billion rubles). In this context, law enforcement managed to seize only about 3% of the cannabis that was illegally grown and processed.
Illegal Cannabis Farms Still a Problem
Despite these challenges, Nicole Elliott, Director of the California Department of Cannabis Control, expressed satisfaction with UCETF’s results. In an interview, she stated: “California authorities are effectively reducing the circulation of cannabis on the black market by leveraging the resources and expertise of agencies and departments from more than 20 states, as well as our local and federal partners. The progress made by UCETF in 2023 reflects the government’s commitment to combating the illegal cannabis business.”
Legal Cannabis Sales Decline
During the first three quarters of 2023, legal cannabis sales in California dropped by 4.4% compared to the same period in 2022, totaling $3.9 billion (343.6 billion rubles). If expert forecasts are accurate, annual cannabis sales will decrease by 4.4% for the year. Licensed cannabis retailers’ revenues began to decline in 2022, falling by a third compared to 2021.
Since the first legal cannabis stores opened in California in 2018, the state has sold $24.5 billion (2.2 trillion rubles) worth of cannabis. Over this period, cannabis retailers have contributed $5.5 billion (484.5 billion rubles) to the state budget. These funds have been used to support law enforcement, implement drug abuse prevention programs, and clean up environmental pollution.