Cannabis is used in every community, regardless of local rules. Local jurisdictions can ban licensed retail stores, but they cannot eliminate consumer demand. When local governments deny consumers access to licensed retailers, the illicit market and organized crime benefit, while public health and safety is harmed.
Support for cannabis legalization among California voters
In November 2016, 57 percent of California voters approved Proposition 64 legalizing the non-medicinal adult-use of cannabis and establishing California’s regulatory framework for adult use cannabis.
Consumers are resorting to the illicit market
56 percent of California’s adults age 21 and older, across all demographics, consume or have consumed cannabis. Yet not all have local access to licensed retailers.
In 2024, Californians consumed roughly
- 3.8 million pounds of cannabis, with
- 2.4 million pounds coming from illicit sources.
This means 62 percent of the cannabis consumed in California was sourced from the illicit market.
Approximately 16.4 million Californians reside in jurisdictions that ban licensed cannabis retail, yet 85 percent of those residents do not know cannabis retailers are prohibited where they live.
While there are many reasons for the disconnect, lack of consumer awareness and insufficient access to licensed cannabis are two main factors that encourage illegal sales.
The risks of illicit cannabis on public health and safety
Denying consumers access to licensed cannabis retailers perpetuates the illicit market and risks public health and safety.
- Unregulated cannabis operations are unsanitary and their products are untested for toxic pesticides, mold, or contaminants that endanger consumers and public health.
- Illicit grows cause deforestation; divert water; and pollute soil, waterways, and wildlife habitats with toxic chemicals and trash; and are often protected by armed criminal organizations.
- Many illicit operations involve unsafe working conditions, wage theft, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
- Illicit sellers evade taxes to undercut legal operators, destabilizing the regulated market and harming local economies.
Legal cannabis protects our California communities
No matter how you feel about cannabis, a strong legal market benefits all Californians. Licensed retailers verify that customers are 21 years of age, preventing sales to minors. These businesses collect and pay state taxes that fund vital programs such as:
- Public safety, environmental remediation, academic research, and education
- Mental health programs, substance use disorder treatment, and youth prevention programs
- Grant programs that support communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs
Take action against the illicit cannabis market
Three of the most effective strategies include:
- Expanding access to licensed retailers and transitioning consumers to the legal market
- Decreasing the costs associated with operating a licensed cannabis business and
- Increasing the costs of operating an illicit cannabis business through enforcement