A look at trends in Californias first year of recreational marijuana sales

California year one[hhmc]

These tables show the relative volume in 2018 of online sales for various cannabis products. Many factors contribute to regional differences in cannabis sales – from local regulations to the availability of products on the black market.

Southern Californians were bigger cannabis consumers this year than their northern counterparts: They purchased products more frequently and, in each transaction, bought more products and spent more money.

Flowers were the best-selling cannabis category across the state (44 percent of sales). Edibles, however, were notably more popular in Southern California, where they make up 19 percent of sales in the San Diego region, compared with just 9 percent in Northern California.

Types of marijuana purchased online from Jane Technologies in 2018.

Licenses in California[hhmc]

Active temporary cannabis licenses at end of 2018

547: retailers

231: delivery

4,770: cultivation

639: manufacturers

1,009: distributors

200: microbusinesses

52: testing

70: event organizers

Annual cannabis licenses issued at end of 2018

8: retailers

0: delivery

3: cultivation licenses

12: manufacturers

0: distributors

0: microbusinesses

0: testing

4: event organizers

Sources: Bureau of Cannabis Control, Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Public Health

Californias pot revenue[hhmc]

Where it is legal[hhmc]

Ten states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational and medical marijuana. Michigan was the most recent to approve, in 2018.

Eradicating cannabis plants[hhmc]

The DEA says it is targeting Chinese, Cuban and Mexican drug cartels illegally growing marijuana. According to law enforcement, cartels are finding states where marijuana has been legalized to hide their growth and distribute within other states or across the border. California was responsible for 68 percent of domestic marijuana eradication in 2017.