Marijuana Business: Licenses, Permits, and Planning

Alaska

Alaska's laws permit the use of both medical and recreational marijuana. You may apply for a Marijuana Establishment License online.

Arizona

The Arizona Department of Health Services runs the medical marijuana program. It also regulates the licensure of adult-use cannabis businesses.

Arkansas

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission runs the state's medical marijuana program. The Commission has applications available for medical marijuana dispensary and cultivation facility licenses.

California

The sale of medical and recreational cannabis is legal in California. There are three state licensing authorities. These include the Bureau of Cannabis Control, the Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch, and CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing.

Colorado

Licenses for both medical and recreational marijuana are available. The Colorado Department of Revenue regulates marijuana business licenses. An applicant must confirm that their municipality allows cannabis industry businesses to operate within its jurisdiction.

Connecticut

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection handles the state's Medical Marijuana Program. It also handles the Adult-Use Licensing Program for recreational marijuana use.

Delaware

The Medical Marijuana Program in Delaware is part of the Public Health Division. Delaware has a limited number of medical marijuana distribution centers. Delaware's Department of Health and Social Services handles recreational marijuana regulations. The state expects that recreational marijuana business licenses will be available in 2024.

Florida

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use handles the implementation of medical cannabis laws. It also licenses businesses to dispense, process, and cultivate medical marijuana.

Hawaii

The Hawaii Department of Health is in charge of its Medical Cannabis Program. It handles licensing for both medical marijuana patients and dispensaries.

Illinois

Illinois' Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issues medical marijuana licenses. It also issues licenses for adult-use cannabis businesses. The Illinois Department of Agriculture regulates marijuana cultivation centers.

Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health licenses a limited number of medical marijuana pharmacies in the state.

Maine

The Office of Cannabis Policy issues licenses for recreational and medical marijuana businesses.

Maryland

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission regulates medical marijuana use. On May 3, 2023, Maryland signed The Cannabis Reform Act into law. The Act legalized adult-use marijuana in the state. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission is now the new Maryland Cannabis Administration. The Administration handles both medical and recreational marijuana licensing.

Massachusetts

The Cannabis Control Commission handles licensing for medical marijuana and recreational marijuana businesses. The Commission provides a detailed guide to Massachusetts' application process.

Michigan

The Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) licenses medical marijuana and adult-use marijuana businesses. The CRA is also responsible for administering Michigan's Social Equity Program.

Minnesota

On August 1, 2023, Minnesotans will be able to buy and possess recreational marijuana. The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management regulates both medical and recreational cannabis licenses.

Mississippi

Mississippi allows for medical marijuana licenses through the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program

Montana

Montana's Cannabis Control Division enforces the Montana Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act. It also administers cannabis business licenses. Applications for cannabis processors, testing laboratories, distributors, and cannabis dispensary licenses are periodically available.

Nevada

Nevada's Cannabis Compliance Board regulates retail marijuana businesses. It also regulates the state's medical marijuana program.

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services runs the Therapeutic Cannabis Program. A bill to legalize recreational marijuana was just passed by the state's House of Representatives.

New Jersey

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission regulates the state's Medicinal Cannabis Program. It also handles state licenses for adult-use cannabis businesses.

New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health oversees the Medical Cannabis Program. New Mexico's Cannabis Control Commission regulates and licenses recreational cannabis businesses.

New York

New York's Office of Cannabis Management regulates medical marijuana and recreational marijuana businesses.

North Dakota

The Division of Medical Marijuana runs the state's Medical Marijuana Program. North Dakota has compassion centers, which are dispensaries or marijuana grower/manufacturer facilities.

Ohio

Three state agencies are responsible for implementing Ohio's Medical Marijuana Control Program. These agencies include the Department of Commerce, the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, and the State of Ohio Medical Board.

Oregon

Licenses are available for both medical and recreational marijuana businesses. The state requires separate licenses and registration for growers and dispensary operators. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission License (OLCC) accepts applications for recreational marijuana licenses.

Rhode Island

The Rhode Island Office of Cannabis Regulation oversees and licenses dispensaries and cultivators.

Vermont

The Cannabis Control Board handles Vermont's adult-use and medical-use cannabis licenses.

Virginia

Only marijuana cultivators can request a business license with Virginia at this time. Medical marijuana purchases come from pharmacies.

Washington

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board handles medical and recreational marijuana licensing.

Washington D.C.

While it's legal to use marijuana recreationally, recreational sales remain illegal. However, the D.C. Department of Health runs the Medical Marijuana Program. This program provides licensing services for medical marijuana businesses and patients.