A bill designed to strengthen enforcement efforts against illegal cannabis operations by authorizing the removal of their cultivation and manufacturing equipment unanimously passed the Senate Public Safety committee.

SB 820, authored by Senator Alvarado-Gil (D-Jackson), not only allows law enforcement to disrupt the financial resources of illegal grow operations through asset forfeiture, but also simultaneously supports lawful cannabis operators that provide regulated, tested cannabis in the legal market. This duality exists because SB 820 will invest enforcement proceeds into the Cannabis Control Fund to support equity programs.

Alvarado-Gil noted that the reality is, without asset forfeiture of the underlying infrastructure, many illicit cannabis operations are able to quickly recover following enforcement actions due to complicit landlords, exploitation of workers, and access to the remaining specialty equipment used for the cultivation and manufacturing of cannabis. State and local enforcement efforts have minimal impact without seizing the machinery that enable these lucrative illegal operations to swiftly return to production.

“It is critical to ensure that the limited resources used to enforce against unlicensed cannabis operations be impactful, and removing the equipment they use is a big step towards that goal,” stated Alvarado-Gil. “We must support those cannabis manufacturers who operate in a lawful manner and adhere to producing a safe consumable product.”

Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse added: “We need more tools to eradicate the scourge of illegal grows and SB 820 does just that. In law enforcement we see far too often the illegal activities that come with illegal marijuana grows and we must continue to combat these criminal activities.”

The bill is sponsored by the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) who have repeatedly witnessed the wide-range of negative ramifications caused by illegal grows. Geri Byne, Second Vice Chair of RCRC, said “Rural communities have been inundated with unlicensed and unregulated cannabis activity that undermines the health and safety of residents and of regulated cannabis businesses. Through SB 820, Senator Alvarado-Gil is providing an important tool that dismantles illegal businesses by disrupting the financial resources of operators and reinvesting in the licensed industry. RCRC is proud to sponsor SB 820 on behalf of our rural counties and thanks Senator Alvarado-Gil for championing this important legislation.”