Science Briefs

Themes

Mapping & Assessing Unlicensed Cannabis Cultivation

Mapping & Assessing Unlicensed Cannabis Cultivation

Data mapped from 2018-2024 analyzes changes in cultivation density, identify key drivers of change, and assess the distribution of cannabis relative to environmental resources.

Indoor Cannabis Cultivation

Indoor Cannabis Cultivation

Indoor cultivation developed in response to cannabis prohibition and enforcement – it is often easier to hide and expensive (e.g. energy, water, rent, security).

Policy Land Use Environment
Dynamics of Licensed Cultivation and Supply Chain

Dynamics of Licensed Cultivation and Supply Chain

Learn about region-based licensed cannabis harvest and production between 2019 and 2025 and supply chain transaction dynamics.

Policy Land Use Community Environment
Transformation of Unlicensed Cannabis Cultivation Since Legalization

Transformation of Unlicensed Cannabis Cultivation Since Legalization

This brief outlines the transformation of unlicensed cultivation since legalization based on over 150 extended interviews with people involved with cannabis cultivation in three regions of California.

Policy Land Use Community
English – Outcomes of Local Cannabis Cultivation Bans on California Communities

English – Outcomes of Local Cannabis Cultivation Bans on California Communities

Local commercial cannabis cultivation bans add administrative cost and lead to economic and social inequities.

Policy Land Use Community
Hmong – Tej Yam Uas Yuav Tshwm Sim Yog Tias Txoj Kev Cog Xas Raug Txwv Hauv

Hmong – Tej Yam Uas Yuav Tshwm Sim Yog Tias Txoj Kev Cog Xas Raug Txwv Hauv

Kev lag luam cannabis cog qoob loo hauv zos txwv tsis pub ntxiv cov nqi tswj hwm thiab ua rau kev lag luam thiab kev tsis sib xws.

Policy Land Use Community
Español – Resultados del cannabis local Prohibiciones de cultivo en California Comunidades

Español – Resultados del cannabis local Prohibiciones de cultivo en California Comunidades

Las prohibiciones locales del cultivo comercial de cannabis añaden costos administrativos y generan desigualdades económicas y sociales.

Land Use Policy Community
Water Use: Cannabis in Context

Water Use: Cannabis in Context

After reviewing data from Humboldt and Mendocino County watersheds, researchers find that keeping cannabis farms in the licensed market is key for preventing impacts to streams.

Policy Environment
Cannabis Agriculture 101

Cannabis Agriculture 101

Is cannabis legal to grow and sell? How is it grown? How widespread are farms and facilities? Explore the facts of California cannabis agriculture and regulation.

Land Use
Variation in Local-level Cannabis Cultivation Bans in California

Variation in Local-level Cannabis Cultivation Bans in California

Proposition 64 granted California localities (cities and counties) the ability to ban commercial cannabis cultivation. Now over two-thirds of local jurisdictions have banned cultivation.

Policy
Environmental Impacts of Local Cannabis Cultivation Bans

Environmental Impacts of Local Cannabis Cultivation Bans

Cultivation bans do not stop cultivation or environmental consequences of farming, and may worsen them.

Policy Environment
Cannabis Agriculture and Wildlife

Cannabis Agriculture and Wildlife

Explore how cannabis cultivation can threaten wildlife, what growing practices can reduce impacts near sensitive habitat, and what we still need to learn.

Land Use Environment
Land Use in Cannabis Agriculture

Land Use in Cannabis Agriculture

Explore the location of California’s cannabis farms and the environmental impacts of land use decisions in cannabis growing regions.

Land Use
Barriers to Compliance

Barriers to Compliance

We surveyed California’s cannabis farmers to understand their decisions to comply with the state’s licensing initiative. Explore our 2019 results to learn specific barriers to compliance.

Policy Community
Water Use in Cannabis Agriculture

Water Use in Cannabis Agriculture

Explore the sources, timing and uses of water in cannabis agriculture and the impacts of water extraction on creeks, streams and freshwater habitat.

Environment