Marijuana Impact Group

CURRENT EVENTS

Inside California’s Battle With the Marijuana Black Market | Inside the Counterfeit Vape Supply Chain | Inside Cartel Infiltration in California Growing Areas with Sheriff William Honsal | Impaired Driving: Roadside Drug Testing a Deterrence | Cannabis & Medical Use: Insufficient evidence for most medical indications | Inside California’s Battle With the Marijuana Black Market | Inside the Counterfeit Vape Supply Chain | Inside Cartel Infiltration in California Growing Areas with Sheriff William Honsal | Impaired Driving: Roadside Drug Testing a Deterrence | Cannabis & Medical Use: Insufficient evidence for most medical indications |

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MIG bulletin

Legal Weed, Broken Promises

California’s legalization of recreational cannabis in 2016 ushered in a multibillion-dollar industry estimated to be the largest legal weed market in the world. But many of the promises of legalization have proved elusive.

“Legal Weed, Broken Promises" by the Los Angeles Times is a finalist in the Excellence in Business/Financial Reporting category for the 70th Scripps Howard Awards. The Awards air on Scripps News at 8 p.m. EST on October 22, 2023.

Open-Source Cannabis Pesticide Data

Investigative reporter Paige St. John of the Los Angeles Times has made cannabis pesticide testing data open source, with contributions from multiple laboratories, retailers, and industry partners. The dataset includes important context around differences in lab testing methods, detection and quantification limits, and tested analytes.

Illicit THC Vape Products and Public Safety

Illicit THC vape products pose risks beyond routine retail compliance, with concerns tied to deceptive packaging, synthetic additives, online distribution, youth exposure, and organized trafficking networks. The issue also highlights broader supply-chain and public-health concerns surrounding illegally imported vape products.

Inside California’s Battle With the Marijuana Black Market

California’s shadow cannabis industry linked to Chinese organized crime and narco-slavery.

READ FULL ARTICLE AT THE EPOCH TIMES

The Marijuana Impact Group promotes greater public awareness of the evolving impacts associated to cannabis in our society, by sharing fact-based and evidence-based information.

Officer Training

We offer focused programs that address the public safety impacts of marijuana use, legalization, trafficking trends, and impaired driving. Armed with factual, real-world intelligence, law enforcement and public officials are better positioned to develop effective strategies, shape informed policy, and enhance operational readiness in response to today’s marijuana landscape.

INTeLLIGENCE

Resources

National HIDTA Program

MIG’s reporting is fueled by ongoing partnerships with the 33 regional HIDTA programs, ensuring that all intelligence is grounded in real-world data from across the country. This collaboration provides law enforcement and policymakers with critical insights needed to address emerging threats and guide effective strategies.

latest Video news

current events

Inside California’s Battle With the Marijuana Black Market

July 24, 2026

Inside the Counterfeit Vape Supply Chain

June 9, 2026

Inside Cartel Infiltration in California Growing Areas with Sheriff William Honsal

January 20, 2026

Impact Reports deliver critical data on drug trends, helping agencies respond to emerging threats. Backed by MIG’s ongoing partnership with the HIDTA program, these findings support law enforcement training and drive smarter policymaking.

HIDTA SUCCESS

2024 NATIONAL HIDTA STATS

FIREARMS

40,216 illegal firearms seized by HIDTA drug enforcement agencies

CANNABIS

1.55 Million KG of illegal cannabis seized of the streets

fugitives

35,864 fugitives involved in illegal drug trades apprehended

LEGALIZATION MAPS

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, but state policies on medical and recreational use vary widely. As legalization expands, marijuana is now the most common illicit drug found in impaired drivers, often alongside alcohol. Explore the maps to see how marijuana laws differ by state and the public safety risks tied to legalization.

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For more information about the Marijuana Initiative Group (MIG), access to reports, upcoming events, or to connect with our team, please fill out the form below. A member of our staff will respond as soon as possible.