By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California’s legal cannabis market has generated nearly $8.4 billion in tax revenue since 2018 as the state ramps up enforcement against illegal drugs and touts declines in crime, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Sept. 2.

The cannabis revenue includes nearly $4.5 billion in excise taxes and nearly $3.4 billion in sales taxes. In the second quarter of 2026 alone, cannabis retailers remitted $261.7 million in cannabis excise and sales tax revenue.

The state uses cannabis revenue to support programs including childcare and early childhood development, youth substance abuse prevention, medical research and environmental recovery.

“We are building a legal cannabis market that generates billions for Californians, and going after the illicit operators who undermine it,” said Newsom. “That’s public safety: protect consumers, support the businesses playing by the rules, and put the revenue to work in our communities.”

California is also targeting illegal intoxicating products outside the regulated cannabis market. State officials have removed more than 15,000 illegal hemp, kratom, and 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, products from store shelves.

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The enforcement effort resulted in the removal of 7,403 illegal hemp products and 7,888 kratom and 7-OH products. Officials reported compliance rates above 97% among Alcoholic Beverage Control licensees inspected for both categories.

The state has warned that kratom and 7-OH products have been linked to addiction, overdose and other serious health risks.

California is also using its law enforcement resources to target violent crime, drug trafficking and other criminal activity. Since 2023, CHP Crime Suppression Teams have made 15,197 arrests, recovered 7,042 stolen vehicles and seized 656 illicit firearms.

Since the teams expanded to six regions statewide in August 2025, they have also confiscated nearly 1.7 million grams of illegal drugs, including about 108 kilograms of fentanyl.

“Over the past few years, our Crime Suppression Teams have demonstrated the value of proactive, intelligence-driven enforcement,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said.

The Newsom administration says the efforts are part of a broader public safety strategy that combines regulation, enforcement, prevention and partnerships with local agencies.

California has also reported declines in major crime categories since 2024, including an 18.6% drop in homicides and a 25.8% decline in motor vehicle theft.

California officials say the combination of a regulated cannabis market, targeted enforcement and state-local law enforcement partnerships is helping protect consumers, disrupt illicit drug activity and improve public safety across the state.

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By Carla Thomas

For educator, childcare provider and children’s author Tarsha Jordan, Bonita the Bumble Bee is much more than a colorful storybook character. The cheerful bee has become a teaching tool, a comforting friend and a creative way for children to explore their emotions, navigate life changes and discover the world around them.

Jordan’s inspiration for Bonita grew from her lifelong commitment to children and education. With more than 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator, she operates Kindergarten Readiness Academy, a licensed family childcare program in Oakland’s Longfellow neighborhood. The academy prepares young children socially, emotionally and academically for school.

Her firsthand experience has given Jordan a deep understanding of how children communicate, what captures their attention, and how stories can open conversations young readers may not otherwise know how to begin.

Jordan describes her mission as developing lifelong learners who love reading while introducing children to relatable characters. Bonita fulfills that mission by addressing real-life experiences in language children can understand.

In “Bonita The Bumble Bee and the Quarantine,” Jordan helped young readers process the uncertainty and isolation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. In a later book about returning to school, Bonita guided children through changing routines, expectations and emotions. Designed to promote social-emotional development and mental health awareness, editions were made available in English, Spanish and Mandarin.

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Bonita’s impact becomes even more immediate when children meet the character in person. Jordan recently hosted a Mommy and Me children’s tea party at Bay Street Emeryville, where Bonita buzzed around the event, greeted young guests and brought the literary character to life.

“The children can interact with the character, experience the excitement of seeing a familiar literary friend come to life and develop an even stronger connection with reading,” Jordan said.

For children of color, that connection carries another important dimension: representation. Children benefit from seeing themselves reflected in books, educational environments, imaginative characters and the people creating those stories.

Jordan also believes Bonita expands children’s imaginations and encourages them to envision new possibilities.

“When children of color see authors that look like them creating books, building educational programs and bringing original characters into their communities, they are exposed to the possibilities beyond the story itself,” Jordan said. “They can begin to imagine themselves as writers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists and creators.”

Founded to introduce STEAM, (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) to children in transitional kindergarten through third grade, Bonita The Bumble Bee also addresses neurodivergent behaviors.

Known to young learners as “Teacher Tarsha,” Jordan combines Bonita’s whimsical personality with hands-on experiments and activities for children ages 3 to 8. The experiences promote early literacy, strengthen problem-solving skills and give children tools for managing their emotional health.

Jordan holds master’s degrees in education and public administration and is pursuing a doctorate in education. Her academic preparation and extensive classroom experience help her create programs that are both engaging and developmentally meaningful.

“We’re hoping to take Bonita to the next level and welcome new partnerships,” Jordan said.

Visit BonitaTheBumbleBee.com

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By Austin Gage, California Black Media

In November, California voters will decide on Proposition (Prop) 45, also known as the “Building an Affordable California Act” or the Expedited Environmental Review Process for Certain Projects Initiative.

If approved, the initiative would change the environmental review process established under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA. Enacted in 1970, CEQA requires state and local agencies to identify and disclose the potential environmental effects of projects they propose to carry out, fund or approve. Agencies must also consider feasible alternatives and measures to avoid or reduce significant environmental harm. The law generally applies to projects that require discretionary government approval and could cause a direct or indirect physical change to the environment.

The Committee to Build an Affordable California is leading the Yes on Proposition 45campaign. Supporters include Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland); the Agricultural Council of California; American Clean Power California; the California Building Industry Association; the California Chamber of Commerce; the California Council for Affordable Housing; the Housing Action Coalition; and Reform California.

“Californians have too long paid the price for bureaucratic red tape and delays, and they’re ready for solutions. Voters are eager to modernize the project approval process so we can build what we need, bring costs down, and make California more affordable. We can protect the environment and good-paying jobs while delivering the essential projects California urgently needs,” said Jennifer Barrera, president and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce.

Supporters argue that accelerating the review process would reduce costs and help address the state’s housing shortage.

People Over Polluters is leading the No on Proposition 45 campaign. Other opponents include the California Democratic Party, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, the California Public Interest Research Group, Clean Water Action, Clean and Healthy California, the National Parks Conservation Association and Sierra Club California. 

Opponents argue that the measure would sacrifice environmental protections and public oversight in the interest of speed. They contend that Proposition 45 could make it easier for polluting or environmentally harmful projects to adversely affect communities. They also emphasize the importance of maintaining existing review and public comment periods, as well as the public’s ability to challenge project approvals in court.

“We know that what they are really trying to do is eliminate a lot of the environmental safeguards that have existed for a long time. People have to read long technical documents to get a better understanding of whether a project is right or wrong for their community. It takes time for us to do discovery and have conversations with neighbors. Our input needs to be valued,” Miguel Miguel, director of Sierra Club California, said.

Prop 45 would also establish new tribal consultation requirements. Qualifying projects would first be screened to identify potentially affected federally recognized tribes, followed by formal consultation when required.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), the measure would tighten deadlines for environmental reviews, permits and court challenges while changing what courts may consider in related lawsuits. 

A “yes” vote supports creating new review and court-challenge procedures for certain public and private projects, including tighter environmental review deadlines and limits on the scope of judicial review.

A “no” vote supports retaining the existing project-review and court-challenge procedures.

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