Glass House and University of California Berkeley Secure $1.8 Million State Grant to Study Marijuana Crop Yields

Glass House Brands and the University of California, Berkeley have received a $1.8 million state-funded research award aimed at improving understanding of marijuana crop yields. According to an announcement released today the California Department of Cannabis Control awarded the funding to the University of California, Berkeley for a project titled “Cannabis Crop Yields: Survey & Remote Sensing.” The research builds on a partnership launched in 2024 between Glass House Brands and University of California, Berkeley, which has focused on identifying research gaps in the marijuana and hemp sectors and advancing work related to medicinal cannabinoids.

The state-funded project will examine how marijuana yields vary across indoor, outdoor, and mixed-light cultivation systems. Researchers will analyze differences tied to cultivation methods such as greenhouse growing, supplemental lighting, fully indoor environments, and outdoor field production. The study will combine grower surveys, field-level observations, and remote sensing tools to develop data-driven yield models.

According to a press release, those models are expected to help improve production estimates while supporting regulatory oversight and market forecasting for California’s legal marijuana industry. The research is being funded through the California Department of Cannabis Control, which oversees the state’s licensed marijuana market.

University researchers say the collaboration with industry helped shape the scope and feasibility of the project, allowing it to move from early exploratory work to a funded statewide study. Glass House officials said the effort reflects a broader goal of improving efficiency, sustainability, and product quality through better data and agricultural insights.

Findings from the research are expected to be shared with policymakers, licensed growers, and other researchers, contributing to a clearer picture of how marijuana production varies across cultivation styles in California.