Submitted by Van Butsic on
Accurately estimating unlicensed cannabis cultivation is essential to understanding and addressing the environmental and regulatory impacts of California’s cannabis industry. This project aims to map and quantify unlicensed cultivation by using empirical data, advanced mapping tools, and ethnographic fieldwork to analyze patterns of unlicensed activity across the state’s 58 counties. By examining policy factors such as cultivation bans, permitting requirements, and license limits, this research will evaluate the effectiveness of different regulatory strategies in mitigating unlicensed cultivation and its environmental harms. Findings will contribute to evidence-based policy recommendations for regulating cannabis cultivation.
This project offers undergraduates two distinct roles:
CVAT Work on Cultivation Sites: Students will perform quantitative tasks using the Computer Vision Annotation Tool (CVAT), annotating machine learning model outputs to identify cannabis cultivation sites. This work is integral to producing accurate mappings of unlicensed cultivation and provides valuable experience in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing analysis.
Qualitative Work on Policy Briefs and Community Summaries: Students interested in qualitative research can support the project by drafting policy briefs, developing community summaries, and compiling demographic and historical data. These tasks will aid in understanding the social and environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation on local communities, contributing to policy recommendations that address these dimensions.
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, possess a strong interest in the intersection of policy, environmental management, and on-the-ground decision-making, and have the ability to work independently in a remote setting. A working knowledge of Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, and other applications) is essential, as is access to a personal computer. Previous experience with GIS software such as QGIS or ArcGIS Pro is beneficial but not required. Critical qualifications include strong time management, accountability, effective communication, and a passion for contributing to meaningful research.