California Marks 10 Years Since Voter Approval of Cannabis Legalization
SACRAMENTO, April 21, 2026 (CALIFORNIA NEWS TODAY) — The State of California, has cleared more than 215,000 cannabis-related convictions and disrupted $1.2 billion in illicit cannabis activity in the decade since voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016.
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According to the Governor’s office, California has paired record clearance efforts with the development of what it describes as the nation’s largest legal cannabis market. Since legalization, state and local authorities have seized more than 778,000 pounds of illegal cannabis and eradicated over 1 million plants as part of enforcement operations targeting the illicit market.
“California has cleared records, seized illegal product, and built a legal market that works. As our work continues, we’re focused on strengthening that legal market so it can compete and succeed,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
Expungement and equity efforts have included automatic clearance or reduction of prior cannabis convictions. The California Department of Justice reports that more than 215,000 cannabis-related records have been cleared or reduced statewide. Proposition 64 also created pathways for resentencing and dismissal of past offenses. Cannabis tax revenues continue to support community reinvestment and equity programs.
Since 2018, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration has collected more than $7 billion in cannabis tax revenue, which supports research, enforcement and community programs. In 2022, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 195, eliminating the cultivation tax. In 2025, he signed Assembly Bill 564, reversing a scheduled increase to the state excise tax.
In 2022, Newsom established the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force, co-chaired by the Department of Cannabis Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The task force coordinates enforcement among more than 20 state partners.
Since its creation, the task force reports:
778,000+ pounds of illicit cannabis seized
1 million+ illegal plants eradicated
$1.2 billion in illicit market activity disrupted
700+ search warrants issued
76 arrests made
230+ firearms seized
“Illegal cannabis operations continue to pose serious threats to California’s environment and communities. But through coordinated enforcement operations like these, with support from partners across the state, we are working to protect and conserve California’s natural resources and ensure they’re available for future generations,” said Meghan Hertel, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“The illicit cannabis market continues to threaten public safety, our environment, and the integrity of California’s legal industry. These coordinated efforts demonstrate the state’s commitment to holding illegal operators accountable and protecting communities across the state,” said Clint Kellum, Director of the Department of Cannabis Control.
In the first quarter of 2026, enforcement operations seized more than $34 million in illegal cannabis, according to the state.
Additional statewide enforcement efforts include 25.7 million plants eradicated and 1.88 million pounds seized through Department of Fish and Wildlife operations, and 1.5 million pounds seized with 2.5 million plants eradicated through Department of Cannabis Control operations.
Through Proposition 64 grant programs administered by the Board of State and Community Corrections, nearly $250 million has been distributed across four funding cohorts, including $125 million in new grant funding. Prior grantees used funds to eradicate nearly 1 million illegal cannabis plants, seize 38,000 pounds of processed illicit marijuana and confiscate 295 illegal firearms.
“The Proposition 64 grant program reflects California’s ongoing commitment to reinvest in community health and safety. Through sustained support for local governments, this funding is strengthening enforcement efforts, disrupting illicit cannabis activity, and improving public safety outcomes across the state,” said Linda Penner, Chair of the Board of State and Community Corrections.
Environmental restoration efforts tied to cannabis enforcement include:
350,000 pounds of trash removed
566,000 feet of illegal irrigation removed
221 illegal water diversions dismantled
State Parks restoration programs have invested $90 million across 89 projects, remediating 150 illicit sites, removing 84,000 plants and clearing 73,000 pounds of waste.
The State Water Resources Control Board’s Cannabis Cultivation Program has enrolled more than 4,000 permittees, completed more than 1,000 compliance visits, issued more than $3.5 million in administrative penalties and participated in more than 2,000 multi-agency inspections.
The state is also addressing intoxicating hemp-derived products outside the regulated cannabis framework. Since 2024, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control reports visiting 20,806 locations, identifying 157 violators, seizing more than 7,300 illegal products and achieving 99.25% compliance with state rules.
For more information, visit www.gov.ca.gov.
Source: Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
