California has officially declared war on illegal cannabis, seizing a jaw-dropping $534 million worth of the unlicensed green stuff in 2024 alone. Since the glorious legalization of recreational weed, authorities have seized a mind-blowing $2.8 billion in illegal cannabis since 2019. Spare us the applause; we’re just doing our civic duty!

Reinforcing the golden state’s dedication to public safety and health, the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force, co-led by the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC), swept through the underground scene, taking down illicit operations left and right. It’s like until now, we were all stuck in an underground rave and the party crashers just showed up.

Governor Gavin Newsom weighed in, reassuring everyone that this isn’t just a trend, but part of California’s strategy to dismantle the operations of notorious transnational criminal organizations. You know, those delightful folks who prey on our environment, workers, and, let’s not forget, our impressionable youth. Thanks, but no thanks!

Curious which counties got the biggest slice of the cannabis action? Drumroll, please: Los Angeles tops the chart with over $103 million, followed closely by Alameda at $100 million. Talk about a competition we didn’t know we were having! But these weren’t just casual weed busts; enforcement teams served 425 search warrants across the state targeting indoor and outdoor cultivation operations and even some shady retail ventures. Thanks to the relentless efforts of these teams, over 162,000 pounds of cannabis were confiscated along with 288,904 unlicensed cannabis plants. Plus, they managed to score 61 firearms and 28 arrests, definitely not the bouncers from your local club.

You might be thinking this is all about the thrill of the chase, but let’s not forget the community. As a result of these operations, 105 locations were “red tagged” due to severe code violations, making it clear that some of these setups ran a more dangerous game than just selling illegal weed.

And while Governor Newsom is at it, he’s also cracking down on shady hemp products that are dangerously flooding the market. Can we just say, finally? Aligning those regulations with current cannabis laws is a step in the right direction to protect the youth from harmful products. So next time you’re lighting up, at least it’ll be from the right source.

The legal cannabis industry is thriving, and we’re all for maintaining that integrity. California’s restraint and determination to protect consumers might not resolve every issue, but it’s a fleeting win against the onslaught of illicit operations invading the market. Fight the power, one plant at a time!