New Frontier Data – a global leader in providing the cannabis industry with analytics, data and business intelligence – has just published “The U.S. Cannabis Cultivation Report: 2019 Legal and Illicit Output by State.”

Based on the report’s findings, the total volume of cannabis being produced in both legal and illegal markets will soar to 34.4 million pounds by 2025. This finding is based on the legal market at its current size; 33 U.S. states have legalized for medical purposes and 11 for recreational use. 

Also included in the report is data pertaining to cannabis production forecasts in each legal state, demand predictions, as well as insights into the most powerful illicitly-operating import and export states.

“With over half of U.S. cannabis production coming from unregulated markets, and amidst public safety concerns over contaminated and untested product supply, regulators and policymakers are in need of trusted information to make informed decisions on the future of the industry,” said New Frontier Data CEO, Giadha Aguirre De Carcer. “Understanding how much supply exists and where it is coming from will help shape a better and safer environment for consumers.”

Key findings from New Frontier’s U.S. cannabis cultivation report

Industry producers, suppliers and investors will be interested to learn from New Frontier’s cannabis cultivation report that 44 percent of U.S cannabis cultivators run their operations outdoors.

California – the largest legal cannabis market in the U.S. – will illegally export 12,717,133 pounds of cannabis this year; based on estimates from New Frontier analysts. Over in New York, illegal imports are expected to reach an estimated 1,568,200 pounds in 2019. 

Out of all the cannabis-friendly states, California, Colorado and Washington will produce the most cannabis – both legally and illegally – this year.

Black market cultivation activity must be curbed

The findings of New Frontier’s cannabis cultivation report suggest that more needs to be done to combat illicit activity in the cannabis space. Not only do illegal growers undercut licensed cultivators on costs – potentially putting them out of a job in the process – but also, black market growers are unlikely to adhere to government testing standards; consequently, consumer health is put at risk.

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