PROFILE

Van Butsic
Researcher
Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist and Adjunct Professor
UC Berkeley Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management
portrait photograph
Van studies the geographic spread of cannabis agriculture using remote sensing techniques and econometric modeling.
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Publications

Wildfire impacts and mitigation strategies among California cannabis producers

2025

Martin J.V., Dillis C., Starrs G., Schell D., Grantham T.E., Butsic V.

Wildfire impacts and mitigation strategies among California cannabis producers

The geography of cannabis production overlaps with high fire hazard areas more than any other crop in the state. Over the same period, licensed cannabis production has grown to a high-grossing industry, while remaining an important source of rural livelihood.

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California Cannabis Research Briefing, Meeting Summary

2024

Kulik, M.C., Lee, Y.O., Butsic, V., Cermak, T.L., Cooper, Z.D., Corva, D., Marcotte, T.D., Uskup, D.K., McKnight, T.R., Balla, A.

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

In 2023 cannabis researchers from across the University of California system presented their work to state agencies and policymakers.

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Water demands of permitted and unpermitted cannabis cultivation in Northern California

2023

Dillis, C., Butsic, V., Georgakakos, P., Portugal, E., Grantham, T.

Environmental Research Communications

Water use on unpermitted farms varies by watershed. With scenario modeling, we project the impacts of compliance with water extraction and off-stream storage.

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