AG Bonta, together with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, today announced the eradication of 728,458 illegally cultivated cannabis plants and 204 arrests in 34 different counties across California in 2025 as part of the Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) program. EPIC is an interagency task force focused on combating the illegal cannabis market, cannabis enforcement work, and investigating and prosecuting civil and criminal cases with a focus on environmental, economic, and labor impacts from illegal cultivation.

“California has the largest safe, legal, and regulated cannabis market in the world, but unfortunately illegal and unlicensed grows continue to harm California lands. The EPIC program works to provide a comprehensive approach to addresses the broader implications of the underground cannabis market, from tackling the environmental damage caused by these illicit activities, to confronting the economic and labor ramifications that arise from unregulated cultivation. Together with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, the EPIC task force eradicated illegally cultivated cannabis plants across 34 California counties this year. Together, we are working toward a solution that not only curtails illegal activities but also promotes a sustainable and equitable cannabis industry in the state.” -AG Bonta