California cannabis regulators seized more than 144,250 pounds of unlawful cannabis in 2022, which represents a 246% increase over the 41,726 pounds of cannabis seized by the agency the year prior. The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) said arrests related to illegal cultivation tripled from 17 in 2021 to 56 last year.
In all, the cannabis seized by the agency last year was valued at $243,017,836. The DCC led 155 search warrant operations in 2022, which was a 150% increase from the 62 operations in 2021. The agency eradicated 264,196 cannabis plants – a 1,274% increase over 2021 levels (19,221 plants). In its operations, the DCC said it had seized 54 firearms last year – 14 more than 2021 – and seized nearly $1.3 million in cash.
Bill Jones, chief of DCC’s Law Enforcement Division, said the enforcement actions ensure “California maintains a well-regulated and legal marketplace that benefits Californians.”
“Through each enforcement action our teams gain a better understanding of how these criminal operations work which helps us better focus our resources and amplify our results to protect the health and safety of all Californians.” — Jones in a press release
The DCC also assisted on 144 cannabis enforcement operations last year. Those operations led to the seizure of nearly $494 million worth of illicit cannabis – including 295,546 pounds of processed product. The operations eradicated 696,016 plants, seized $542,981 in cash and 85 firearms, and led to 119 total arrests.
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