Licensing Frequently Asked Questions
-
Adult-Use Cannabis Licensing Program
Information on adult-use cannabis establishment license types and how to apply.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions License Application Information -
Equity Joint Venture
An Equity Joint Venture is a business entity, partnering with a licensed medical marijuana producer or medical marijuana dispensary facility, that is at least 50% owned and controlled by an individual or individuals, or the applicant is an individual, who meet certain requirements..
Definitions Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Social Equity Definitions Equity Joint Ventures -
Social Equity Council Income and Residency, Workforce Development Plan, Social Equity Plan, and Ownership Control Requirements
The final approved documents for income and residency requirements, workforce development requirements, ownership control requirements, and social equity plan requirements as approved by the Social Equity Council
Social Equity Council Licensing Frequently Asked Questions -
Is there a limit to the number of retailers or micro-cultivators a town or city can have?
A municipality must approve zoning to allow for cannabis establishments, including retailers and micro-cultivators, to operate in their community. For information about zoning restrictions or approvals in a particular municipality, please contact that municipality directly.
Municipalities Municipalities Retail Sales Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Location and Zoning Establishing a Business -
Are there limits to the number of Equity Joint Ventures a producer or dispensary facility can partner with?
A producer, DIA cultivator or dispensary facility can partner with no more than two Equity Joint Ventures.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Social Equity Council Equity Joint Ventures -
How does the lottery and review process for license applications work?
The social equity lottery will be conducted first and is for social equity applicants only. The general lottery will be conducted after the conclusion of the social equity lottery.
The Lottery Process Licensing Frequently Asked Questions -
How many times can I apply for a license through the lottery application process?
Applicants may apply multiple times for multiple licenses and license types. However, DCP cannot award a license to any applicant selected through the lottery that already has two or more licenses of the same type, or in the same license category.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions The Lottery Process -
When is the backer application fee due?
The $100 backer application fee is due to be paid by the cannabis establishment (not the individual) when applying for the provisional license.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Backers and Business Owners The Lottery Process -
If the cannabis establishment is owned by a parent company made up of individuals, trusts or other entities, what does the organizational chart need to show?
The organizational chart should show the applicant’s ownership structure and reflect all ownership interests in the cannabis establishment.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Backers and Business Owners Establishing a Business -
Do I need to set up a business before applying for a cannabis establishment license?
No. Formal proof of business creation, such as registration with the State, is not required for the lottery application, and will only be required of applicants that are selected in the lottery and progress to the additional stages of licensure.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Establishing a Business -
I am the only owner and own 100 percent of my business. Do I need a backer?
If you are the sole owner of your business and no other individual has 5 percent or more ownership or control of your business, you may apply as a sole proprietor and will need to list yourself as a backer on the application.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Backers and Business Owners Establishing a Business -
When do I need to have the exact location of my cannabis establishment set?
Evidence of a right to occupy the location at which the cannabis establishment will be located is a requirement of the final stage of licensure and will be required before a final license is issued. It is not necessary to indicate the establishment’s location in the lottery application.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Location and Zoning Establishing a Business -
Can I get a license if I have been convicted of a felony?
Having a felony conviction does not preclude you from getting a license, however, if you have been convicted of specific crimes, you would be disqualified from being able to register as a backer or key employee.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Backers and Business Owners -
How many applications for cannabis licenses has the department received?
The data shown in this table is updated weekly on Thursdays. The applications included in these counts have NOT been reviewed for completeness. The counts may include incomplete applications and are subject to change.
License Application Information Licensing Frequently Asked Questions The Lottery Process -
Do Equity Joint Ventures (EJVs) that share a common Producer Backer or Dispensary Facility Backer need to be located at least 20 miles apart regardless of license type?
Retailer Equity Joint Ventures and Hybrid Retailer Equity Joint Ventures cannot be located within 20 miles of any other EJV that it shares a Producer Backer or Dispensary Facility Backer with, regardless of the EJV’s license type.
Equity Joint Ventures Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Location and Zoning Backers and Business Owners -
Can I change backers?
No additional backers may be added to a cannabis establishment application between the time of lottery entry, or any initial application for a license, and when a final license is awarded to the cannabis establishment.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Backers and Business Owners