Complete State-by-State Guide to Marijuana-Cannabis Licensing Applications

The purpose of this blog is to give a complete State-by-State guide to Marijuana-Cannabis licensing, fees, surety bond requirements, and other miscellaneous information for each state.

With a compound annual growth rate of 18.1%, the marijuana industry is definitely one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide.

In the United States alone, the marijuana industry is expected to reach $30 billion in revenue by 2025.

The soaring public demand—along with the legalization of marijuana in most states—pave way for entrepreneurs to start their marijuana businesses. The first step is to obtain a license for the particular medical marijuana business that you’re planning to put up.

Below is a complete list of medical marijuana license fees and requirements for each state that has legalized medical marijuana.

Our company specializes in Marijuana Cannabis Surety Bonds.  Please contact us if you need any type of surety bond.

Alaska

 A. Standard Marijuana Cultivation Facility

1. License Fee: $5,000
2. New Application Fee: $1,000
3. Form MJ-04 Marijuana Cultivation Facility

B. Limited Marijuana Cultivation Facilities

1. License Fee: $1,000
2. New Application Fee: $1,000
3. Renewal Fee: $1,400
4. Form MJ-04 Marijuana Cultivation Facility

C. Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facility

1. License Fee: $5,000
2. New Application Fee: $1,000
3. Renewal Fee: $7,000
4. Form MJ-05 Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facility
5. Food Safety Permit

D. Marijuana Concentrate Manufacturing Facilities

1. License Fee: $1,000
2. New Application Fee: $1,000
3. Renewal Fee: $2,000
4. Form MJ-05 Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facility

E. Marijuana Testing Manufacturing Facilities

1. License Fee: $1,000
2. New Application Fee: $1,000
3. Renewal Fee: $2,000
4. Form MJ-06 Marijuana Testing Facility

F. Retail Marijuana Store

1. License Fee: $5,000
2. New Application Fee: $1,000
3. Renewal Fee: $7,000
4. Form MJ-03 Retail Marijuana Store

Additional requirements for all Alaska Marijuana licenses:

1. Form MJ-00 Application Certifications
2. Form MJ-01 Operating Plan
3. Form MJ-02 Premises Diagram
4. Form MJ-07 Public Notice Posting Affidavit
5. Form MJ-08 Local Government Notice Affidavit
6. Form MJ-09 Statement of Financial Interest
7. Publishers Affidavit
8. Proof of Possession of Proposed Premises
9. Entity Documents
10. Fingerprint Cards

The fees and requirements must be submitted to the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Alcohol and Marijuana Control Office

Arizona

A. Dispensary Registration Certificate

1. Complete the Arizona Medical Marijuana Dispensary Registration Certificate
2. Pay the application fee to the Arizona Department of Health Services
   • Registration – $5,000
   • Renewal – $1,000
   • Change of dispensary location – $2,500

B. Dispensary Agent Registry Identification Card

1. Register through the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Dispensary Point of Sale (POS) and Card Verification System (System)
2. Undergo fingerprint checks
3. Pay the fee – $500

Arkansas

A. Cultivation Facility

1. Request for an Arkansas Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility Application form
2. Pay the application fee to the Arkansas Department of Health Medical Marijuana Commission – $15,000
3. Obtain an Arkansas Medical Marijuana Cultivation License Performance Bond

• $500,000 (bond amount)
• The bond premium varies per applicant

4. License fee – $100,000

B. Dispensary License

1. Request for an Arkansas Medical Marijuana Dispensary License Application form
2. Pay the application fee to the Arkansas Department of Health Medical Marijuana Commission – $7,500
3. Obtain an Arkansas Medical Marijuana Dispensary License Performance Bond

• $100,000 (bond amount)
• The bond premium varies per applicant

4. License fee – $15,000

California

A. Cultivation

1. Register through the online licensing system of the California Department of Food and Agriculture
2. Submit Live Scan fingerprints
3. Obtain a California Cannabis Cultivation License Bond

• $5,000 (bond amount)
• The bond premium varies per applicant

4. Legal Right to Occupy Property
5. Waste Discharge Program Enrollment
6. California Department of Fish and Wildlife Documentation
7. EnviroStor Records
8. California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Compliance
9. California Secretary of State Documentation
10. Water Source Documentation
11. Owner’s Information

License Types:

M-Type 1 – Cultivation; Specialty outdoor; Small

M-Type 1A – Cultivation; Specialty indoor; Small

M-Type 1B – Cultivation; Specialty mixed-light; Small

M-Type 1C – Cultivation; Specialty cottage; Small

M-Type 2 – Cultivation; Outdoor; Small

M-Type 2A – Cultivation; Indoor; Small

M-Type 2B – Cultivation; Mixed-light; Small

M-Type 3 – Cultivation; Outdoor; Medium

M-Type 3A – Cultivation; Indoor; Medium

M-Type 3B – Cultivation; Mixed-light; Medium

M-Type 4 – Cultivation; Nursery

M-Type 5 – Cultivation; Outdoor; Large

M-Type 5A – Cultivation; Indoor; Large

M-Type 5B – Cultivation; Mixed-light; Large

B. Distributor

1. Complete the California Cannabis Distributor Application form
2. Obtain a California Cannabis Distributor Bond

• $5,000 (bond amount)
• The bond premium varies per applicant

3. Evidence of Legal Right to Occupy
4. Premises Diagram
5. Business Formation Documents
6. Limited Waiver of Sovereign Immunity
7. California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) Compliance
8. Labor Peace Agreement
9. Pay the necessary fees to the California Bureau of Cannabis Control

Application Fee – $1,000

M-License Type 11 and M-License Type 13

M-License Type 13 – Distributor Transport Only

C. Retailer

1. M-Type 9 (Medicinal Non-Storefront Retailer)
2. M-Type 10 (Medicinal Retailer)

1. Complete the California Cannabis Retailer Application form
2. Obtain a California Cannabis Retailer Bond

• $5,000 (bond amount)
• The bond premium varies per applicant

3. Premises Location
4. Limited Waiver of Sovereign Immunity
5. Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
6. Seller’s Permit
7. State Employment Identification Number
8. Labor Peace Agreement
9. Cal-OSHA
10. Pay necessary fees California Bureau of Cannabis Control

Application Fee – $1,000

D. Microbusiness (Type 12)

1. Complete the California Cannabis Microbusiness Application form
2. Obtain a California Cannabis Microbusiness Bond
   • $5,000 (bond amount)
   • The bond premium varies per applicant
3. Premises Location
4. Limited Waiver of Sovereign Immunity
5. Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
6. Seller’s Permit
7. State Employment Identification Number
8. Labor Peace Agreement
9. Cal-OSHA
10. Pay necessary fees to the California Bureau of Cannabis Control

Application Fee – $1,000

Colorado

1. Complete the Colorado Medical Marijuana Business License Application form
2. Obtain the specified Colorado Medical Marijuana Bond for your business

• $5,000 (bond amount)
• The bond premium varies per applicant

3. Pay the necessary fees

Connecticut

A. Medical Marijuana Producer License

1. Request for an application form from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
2. Obtain the required surety bond

• Medical Marijuana Producer Performance Bond for the Construction of a Production Facility ($2,000,000)
• Medical Marijuana Producer Performance Bond for the Operation of a Production Facility ($1,500,000)

3. Pay the necessary fees

• Initial Application Fee:  $25,000
• Registration Fee: $75,000
• Renewal Fee:  $75,000

B. Medical Marijuana Dispensary Facility License

1. Request for an application form from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

2. Pay the necessary fees

• Initial Application Fee:  $1,000
• Registration Fee: $5,000
• Renewal Fee:  $5,000

Delaware

Medical Marijuana Compassion Center License

1. Apply for a registration certificate from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
2. Pay the application fee to the Division of Public Health, Medical Marijuana Program – $5,000
3. Propose location
4. Proposed business name
5. Proposed operation and services plan

Florida

Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) License

1. Complete Form DH8013-OMMU-04/2018, Application for Medical Marijuana Treatment Center Registration
2. Complete Form DH8014-OMMU-04/2018, Scorecard for Medical Marijuana Treatment Center Selection
3. Obtain a Florida Medical Marijuana Performance Bond

• $5,000,000 (bond amount)
• The bond premium varies per applicant

4. Application fee

Hawaii

Dispensary (currently closed)

1. Request for a Hawaii dispensary license application form
2. Application fee – $5,000

Illinois

A. Medical Cannabis Dispensing Organization Registration

1. Complete the Illinois Dispensing Organization Application form
2. Obtain an Illinois Dispensing Organization Registration Bond

• $50,000 (bond amount)
• Bond premium varies

3. Medical Cannabis Principal Officer Attestation Form
4. Medical Cannabis Principal Officer Certification Form
5. Property Ownership Form
6. Zoning form
7. Criminal history form
8. Fingerprint
9. Business operations plan
10. Security plan
11. Recordkeeping and inventory plan
12. Application fee – $30,000
13. Cannabis Business Development Fee equal to 3% of the dispensing organization’s total sales in 1 calendar year, or $100,000 (whichever is lower)

B. Medical Cannabis Cultivation Center

1. Complete the Illinois Medical Cannabis Cultivation Center Application form
2. Obtain an Illinois Medical Cannabis Cultivation Center Performance Bond

• $1,500,000 (bond amount)
• Bond premium varies

3. Suitability of the Proposed Facility
4. Staffing and Operations Plan
5. Security Plan
6. Cultivation Plan
7. Social Equity Inclusion Plan
8. Product Safety and Labeling Plan
9. Property ownership form
10. Regulatory Agency Contact Authorization Form
11. Zoning form
12. Fingerprint
13. Application fee – $100,000
14. Cannabis Business Development Fee equal to 5% of the cultivation center’s total sales in 1 calendar year, or $500,000 (whichever is lower)

Louisiana

Medical Pharmacy Permit

1. Complete the Louisiana Medical Pharmacy Permit Application form
2. Obtain a Louisiana Medical Pharmacy Permit Bond

• $100,000 (bond amount)
• Bond premium varies

3. Certificate of Authority from the Louisiana Secretary of State
4. Brief summary of the Applicant’s qualifications, experience, and industry knowledge relevant to the development and operation of a Marijuana Pharmacy
5. Criminal background check
6. New pharmacy permit fee $150
7. Pharmacy CDS permit fee $ 25
8. Pharmacy prescription monitoring program fee $ 25
9. Administrative hearing fee $250

Maine

1. Complete the Maine Adult Use Marijuana Establishment License Application (online)
2. Obtain a Maine Marijuana surety bond

• Marijuana store – $500,000
• Marijuana cultivation facility with 3,000 square feet or less of plant canopy – $600,000
• Marijuana cultivation facility with more than 3,000 square feet of plant canopy – $1,100,000
• Marijuana products manufacturing facility – $600,000
• Marijuana testing facility – $800,000

3. Maine Adult Use Establishment Marijuana Release of Information
4. Operating Plan Template – Cultivation Facility
5. Operating Plan Template – Nursery Cultivation
6. Cultivation Plan Template (for cultivation facilities only)
7. Adult Use Marijuana Establishment Principal Attestation
8. Adult Use Marijuana Establishment Owner Attestation
9. Maine Resident Ownership for Business Entities Worksheet
10. Maine Revenue Services – Tax Disclosure (Principals)
11. Maine Revenue Services – Tax Disclosure (Owners)
12. Criminal background check
13. Pay the necessary fees to the Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Office of Marijuana Policy

Maryland

A. Medical Cannabis Grower

• Complete the Medical Cannabis Grower License Application form
• Pay the application fee to the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission – $2,000

B. Medical Cannabis Processor

• Complete the Medical Cannabis Processor License Application form
• Pay the application fee to the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission – $2,000

Massachusetts 

Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MTCs) – formerly known as Registered Marijuana Dispensaries (RMDs)

Application fee – $3,500

Initial/Annual License fee – $50,000

1. Application of Intent

• Complete the Application of Intent form
• Copy of the Corporation’s Certificate of Good Standing
• Financial account summary or summaries
• Application of intent fee – $1,500 Bank or cashier’s check made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Complete the Remittance form: Application of Intent

2. Management and Operations Profile

• Complete the Management and Operations profile form
• Copy of the Corporation’s Articles of Organization
• Copy of the Corporation’s Certificate of Good Standing
• Copy of the Corporation’s bylaws
• Employment and Education form 
• Fee – $30,000 bank or cashier’s check made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• Remittance Form: Management and Operations  form
• Character and Competency Form(s):
  1. Individuals
  2. Entities
• Background check authorization forms and background check fee

3. Siting Profile

• Siting profile form
• Evidence of interest in the property, by location
• Letter(s) of local support or non-opposition

*You can obtain a Massachusetts Marijuana Establishment License HERE.

Michigan

Medical Marijuana Facility

Pre-qualification

1. Complete the medical marijuana facility online application or the paper application forms
2. Background check of license applicants and supplemental applicants
3. Application fee (paid to Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) – $6,000

License Qualification

1. Provide your business location
2. Type of facility license

*An applicant may also need to pay a fee to its municipality of up to $5000

Minnesota

Medical Cannabis Manufacturer

• Complete the request-for-an-application form
• Application fee paid to the Minnesota Department of Health – $20,000

Missouri

1. Complete the applicable worksheets and forms
2. Pay the necessary fees to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Montana

1. For Dispensaries – Apply for a Canopy License (Provider and/or MIPP) first
2. Providers – You can apply for your Provider license and MIPP (Chemical Manufacturing Endorsement) at the same time. Apply via Complia’s Industry Portal
3. Fingerprint
4. Copy of acceptable IDs (e.g. MT driver’s license, passport, State ID, Tribal ID)
5. Landlord Permission Form (if renting or leasing)
6. Pay the application fee to the Montana DPHHS

Dispensary Fees

Provider Fees

Nevada

Dispensary

1. Sign up for notification of applications (currently not accepting marijuana licenses or medical marijuana registration certificates)
2. Complete the forms
3. Obtain a Nevada Medical Marijuana Bond
   • $250,000 (bond amount)
   • Bond premium varies
4. Pay the license fees

• Initial – $30,000
• Renewal – $5,000

New Hampshire

Alternative Treatment Center

• Request for Application (RFA) submission fee – $3000
• RFA selection fee (to be credited to the new ATC as part of the allocation) – $20,000

New Mexico

Manufacturer

1. Complete the manufacturer license application form
2. Pay the application fee to the New Mexico Department of Health – $1,000

Courier

1. Complete the courier license application form

Personal Production

1. Complete the personal production application form
2. Pay the application fee to the New Mexico Department of Health – $30

New York

Registered Organization

1. Complete the New York Medical Marijuana Registered Organization application form
2. Obtain a New York Medical Marijuana Registered Organization Bond

• $2,000,000 (bond amount)
• Bond premium varies

3. Pay the application fee ($10,000) and registration fee ($200,000) to the New York State Department of Health

North Dakota

Compassion Center

1. Request an application form from the North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Medical Marijuana
2. Obtain a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Compassion Center Bond
3. Pay the license application fee to the North Dakota DOH – $5,000

Ohio

Dispensary

1. Complete the dispensary license application forms
2. Business plan
3. Operations plan
4. Pay the application fee to the Ohio Department of Commerce – $5,000

Cultivation

1. 1. Complete the cultivation license application forms
   2. Business plan
   3. Operations plan
   4. Quality assurance plan
   5. Security plan
   6. Financial plan
   7. Obtain an Ohio Marijuana Cultivation License Bond

Bond Amount

1. • Level 1 – $1,500,000
   • Level II – $150,000
2. Pay the application fee to the Ohio Department of Commerce

• Level 1 – $20,000
• Level II – $2,000

Oklahoma

1. Apply via the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority’s online application portal

License Types

• Grower
• Processor
• Dispensary
• Transporter

2. Obtain an Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Bond

• $100,000 (bond amount)
• Bond premium varies

3. Residency requirements
4. Certificate of compliance
5. Distance from schools
6. Pay the application fee to OMMA – $2,500

Oregon

1. Complete the license application form

License Types

• Producer
• Processor
• Retailer
• Wholesaler

2. Obtain an Oregon Marijuana Bond

3. Pay the application fee to the Oregon Health Authority – $250

Pennsylvania

1. Complete the license application forms
2. Pay the necessary fees to the Pennsylvania Department of Health

A. Growers/Processors

• Application fee – $10,000
• Another fee of $200,000 must be submitted to the Pennsylvania DoH (this will be returned if the permit is not granted)
• Proof of funds – $2,000,000 ($500,000 of which should be deposited in the applicant’s bank account)

B. Dispensary

• Application fee – $5,000
• A fee of $30,000/location (this will be returned if the application is not granted)
• Proof of funds $150,000 (deposited in the applicant’s bank account)

Rhode Island

Compassion Center

1. Complete the license application form
2. Pay the application fee to the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation – $10,000
3. Annual license fee – $500,000

Utah

1. Complete the appropriate license application form
2. Obtain a Utah Medical Marijuana Bond

$250,000 – Cannabis Cultivation Facility

$125,000 – Cannabis Pharmacy/Dispensary

$50,000 – Cannabis Processing Facility

$50,000 – Independent Cannabis Testing Laboratory

3. Pay the application and license fees

Vermont

Dispensary (currently closed)

1. Request for a dispensary application form
2. Pay the necessary fees to the Vermont Department of Public Safety, Marijuana Registry

• Application fee – $2,500
• License fee – $20,000 (initial) then $25,000 (succeeding years)
• Registration card fee – $50/financier, owner, and employee

Washington

1. Request for a license application form
2. Pay the necessary fees

Marijuana Transporter Requirements

1. Complete the license application form and submit it to Business Licensing Service (BLS) either online or by mail.
2. Submit a Change in Operating Plan
3. Submit a copy of their approved common carrier permit issued by the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).  All vehicles and trailers must also be permitted by UTC as common carriers.
4. Provide proof of commercial general liability insurance
5. Provide proof of right to the vehicle used for transporting (title, registration, lease, etc.)

West Virginia 

Requirements for Dispensary and Growers/Processors Permits

1. Complete the dispensary license initial application form
2. Complete the growers/processors license initial application form
3. Verification of all principals, operators, financial backers, or employees of a medical cannabis grower/processor or dispensary
4. Description of responsibilities as a principal, operator, financial backer, or employee
5. Any release necessary to obtain information from governmental agencies, employers, and other organizations.
6. Details relating to a similar license, permit, or other authorization obtained in another jurisdiction, including any suspensions, revocations, or discipline in that jurisdiction.
7. Description of the business activities in which it intends to engage as a medical cannabis organization
8. A statement that the applicant:

• Is of good moral character
• Can obtain the right to use sufficient land, buildings, and other premises and equipment to properly carry on the activity described in the application and any proposed location for a facility
• Can maintain effective security and control to prevent diversion, abuse, and other illegal conduct relating to medical cannabis
• Can comply with all applicable State laws and rules

9. The name, residential address, and title of each financial backer and principal of the applicant
10. 2-hour training course
11. Initial application fee – $2,500
12. Permit fee – $10,000

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