Monterey County has made headlines across California after recording the largest cannabis bust in the state during the last quarter, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s office. On October 21, state officials reported that 76,166 pounds of allegedly illegal cannabis were destroyed in Monterey County, with an estimated value exceeding $125.6 million. This staggering figure accounts for more than half of all illegal cannabis seized statewide during July, August, and September.
Los Angeles County came in a distant second, with 16,340 pounds of illegal cannabis destroyed — a haul valued at $26.9 million. The cannabis bust has drawn significant attention, reinforcing Monterey County’s reputation as a major hub for cannabis cultivation, both legal and illegal.
“The bigger you are, the harder they fall,” said Michelle House, Monterey County’s Cannabis Program Manager. She attributes much of the quarter’s totals to a massive cannabis bust that occurred in July near Pajaro, at 1400 San Juan Road.
According to county planning records, Ladybug Farms, LLC had been granted a permit to cultivate approximately 715,000 square feet of medical cannabis in existing greenhouses, along with 6,000 square feet of non-volatile processing space. However, the cannabis bust revealed that some operations were allegedly running outside of the legal framework.
House explained that illegal cannabis can take many forms — even on farms with valid permits. “Sometimes it’s not about where you grow, but how you track it,” she said, emphasizing that legal operators must document their products “from seed to sale.” The cannabis bust near Pajaro served as a reminder that compliance is crucial in California’s regulated cannabis industry.
The investigation leading to the cannabis bust was spearheaded by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, working in coordination with the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce, a multi-agency unit under California’s Department of Cannabis Control. This collaboration highlights the growing focus on dismantling unlicensed operations that undercut legitimate businesses and evade state taxation.
While House herself does not participate directly in enforcement or cannabis bust investigations, her role centers on ensuring that legal growers in Monterey County follow all ordinances and meet state compliance standards.
Monterey County’s latest cannabis bust not only underscores the scale of illegal operations but also the state’s ongoing efforts to level the playing field for compliant cultivators. As enforcement intensifies, local officials hope these actions will encourage more growers to transition into the legal market, strengthening oversight and ensuring that the “seed-to-sale” tracking system remains intact.
For now, the July cannabis bust stands as one of California’s most significant enforcement actions in recent years, serving as both a warning and a wake-up call for the state’s cannabis industry.
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