What is the California Cannabis Access Map (CCAM)?

California legalized cannabis nearly a decade ago—but for millions of residents, legal access still doesn’t exist.

Despite a mature licensed industry, more than half of cannabis consumed in California is still sourced from the illicit market. Why? Price matters—but access also matters.

To answer that question, ERA Economics, in partnership with researchers at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, developed the California Cannabis Access Map (CCAM): a tool that measures access to licensed cannabis retailers.

We call these gaps Weed Deserts.

The data show a clear relationship between retail access and illicit market activity.

Counties with higher shares of their population living in low- or limited-access areas also have significantly higher illicit cannabis market shares. Statistical analysis finds a strong positive correlation between lack of access and illegal consumption.

In plain terms:

When legal stores are far away—or prohibited entirely—illegal markets fill the gap.

This is direct empirical evidence that local retail policy shapes market outcomes, not just consumer preferences.

Why was CCAM developed?

CCAM is more than just the map, it’s an analytical framework for understanding how local control intersects with statewide legalization and the illicit market.
It helps answer critical questions:

• Where is licensed cannabis functionally unavailable?
• How do local bans shape illicit market activity?
• Are current policies aligned with equity and public-safety goals?

The analysis is ongoing, and future updates will incorporate additional drivers of demand and market participation.

How do I use it?

Explore the California Cannabis Access Map and see where legal access breaks down across the state.

• Users can click on counties and census tracts to display access and demographic details.
• Toggles are on the bottom left and right corners of the map to modify viewing options.
• CCAM is currently in its Beta version. For troubleshooting help or to provide feedback, please use the Contact portal with subject line ‘CCAM’

For deeper context on California’s cannabis economy, see the 2024 California Cannabis Market Outlook.

What’s next?

This research was supported by a California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo award for a Cannabis Academic Research Grant from the California Department of Cannabis Control. Our next phase of work focuses on deepening the analysis, expanding the data, and sharpening its relevance for policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders.

Upcoming work includes:

• Deeper drivers of access and demand. We are expanding the analysis to incorporate additional factors that shape consumer behavior, including pricing, local tax burdens, delivery access, and enforcement intensity.
• Policy analysis. We plan to evaluate how changes in local retail policy over time affect both legal participation and illicit market activity, allowing for stronger causal insights rather than simple correlations.
• Equity analysis. Ongoing work will examine how access constraints intersect with income and other demographic data, and how local policy affects California’s equity objectives.
• Document what works. Local regulations vary widely across the state. What areas are working better than others? And what are effective ways to limit the illicit market? What are optimal local tax rates?

We’re thinking about these and other questions – reach out to discuss!