California seizes more than 168 million dollars in illicit cannabis and tobacco products through statewide enforcement efforts

Sacramento, California – California officials say the state’s campaign against illegal cannabis, tobacco, hemp, and other prohibited products continues to produce significant results, with more than $168 million in illicit cannabis and tobacco products seized since 2019.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced the latest figures, noting that nearly $22 million worth of illegal cannabis and tobacco products were confiscated during the first half of 2026 alone. State leaders said the enforcement efforts are part of a broad strategy designed to protect consumers, support legitimate businesses, and preserve tax revenue that funds essential public services.

According to the governor, California’s approach extends beyond shutting down illegal operations by also ensuring businesses follow tax laws and contribute fairly to state programs.

“California’s work doesn’t stop at shutting down illegal operations. We’re protecting the legal businesses that play by the rules by enforcing our tax laws, removing illicit products from the marketplace, and ensuring the revenues that fund vital state programs are protected. This coordinated approach strengthens the legal cannabis market while holding bad actors accountable.”

State targets illegal products while protecting legal businesses

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) plays a central role in the state’s enforcement strategy.

While law enforcement agencies focus on illegal cultivation, manufacturing, and trafficking operations, CDTFA investigators work to ensure businesses comply with tax laws, uncover fraud, investigate tax evasion, and remove illegal cannabis and tobacco products from stores.

Officials said these efforts help protect the state’s legal marketplace while ensuring taxes collected from licensed businesses continue supporting public services.

California Government Operations Secretary Nick Maduros said legal cannabis businesses should not be placed at a disadvantage by operators who ignore state laws.

“When California voters approved Proposition 64 and legalized cannabis, they also approved a tax structure to ensure that cannabis contributes to the state’s revenue,” Maduros said. “We can’t let illicit operators siphon away dollars that are needed for schools, roads, parks, first responders and all the other services on which Californians rely.”

CDTFA Director Trista Gonzalez said investigators have unique authority to examine financial records and determine whether businesses are following California law.

“CDTFA inspectors and investigators have the authority to take action on illicit activity by examining businesses’ financial records to see if they are complying with the state’s laws,” Gonzalez said. “Through strong partnerships and strategic enforcement, we are holding bad actors accountable while safeguarding critical tax revenue that supports essential public services.”

Multiagency strategy expands across California

State officials said California has invested heavily in protecting what it describes as the nation’s largest legal cannabis market.

In June, Governor Newsom announced $227 million in grants to local governments to strengthen enforcement efforts against illegal cannabis operations.

Those grants build on the work of the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Task Force, a partnership involving state, local, and federal agencies that coordinate criminal investigations, regulatory oversight, and tax enforcement.

According to the governor’s office, the task force has now been responsible for the seizure of more than $1.3 billion worth of illicit cannabis through coordinated statewide enforcement operations.

Participating agencies include the Department of Cannabis Control, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Justice, and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

Officials said each agency contributes different expertise, ranging from protecting public safety and natural resources to ensuring tax compliance and supporting California’s regulated cannabis industry.

Enforcement also focuses on hemp and kratom products

California’s enforcement efforts now extend beyond cannabis.

Officials reported that agencies have also increased inspections involving intoxicating hemp products sold by businesses licensed through the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Following 23,174 site visits, the state reported a 99.32% compliance rate, while removing 7,403 illegal hemp products from store shelves.

Enforcement efforts involving prohibited kratom and 7-OH products have also produced similar results.

Since those inspections began, officials reported a 97.62% compliance rate after conducting 7,333 site visits and removing 6,981 prohibited products.

California officials said these combined enforcement actions demonstrate a statewide strategy focused on protecting consumers, supporting businesses that comply with the law, preserving tax revenue, and strengthening regulated markets. By combining criminal investigations, tax enforcement, regulatory oversight, and partnerships among multiple agencies, the state says it intends to continue reducing the availability of illicit products while promoting a fair marketplace for legal businesses operating throughout California.