Licensing Frequently Asked Questions
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What kind of signage do dispensary facilities, hybrid retailers and retailers need to have posted for hemp manufacturer products?
Signage pertaining to hemp manufacturer products as required by Public Act 23-166 must be approved by the Department prior to being posted.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Establishing a Business Hemp, CBD and Other Products Retail Sales -
Do food and beverage items need to be shelf-stable?
Yes. All cannabis products must meet the manufacturing requirements identified in Section 21a-421j-26 of the Department’s policies and procedures, including that all cannabis products shall be homogenous and shelf-stable for a minimum of 60 days after opening without refrigeration.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Policies Procedures and The Law -
Can hybrid retailers or retailers sell or giveaway promotional items such as apparel?
No. Cannabis, cannabis products, paraphernalia, and manufacturer hemp products are the only items that a hybrid retailer or retailer may sell, offer, give, dispense, compound, transfer, or transport, as applicable.
Policies Procedures and The Law Advertising Licensing Frequently Asked Questions -
What is a bona fide labor organization?
To be included on the Department’s list of bona fide labor organizations, the labor organization must complete an online application form using the eLicense system.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Establishing a Business Workplace and Employee Information Definitions -
How many times can I apply for a license through the lottery application process?
Applicants may only submit one application per application period for each license type.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Licensing - Lotteries and Application Information -
After our conversion to Hybrid Retailer, are Dispensary Technicians required to complete Medical Marijuana transactions?
No. Transactions may be completed by any licensed adult-use cannabis employee at the hybrid retailer.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Policies Procedures and The Law -
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 Licensing - Lotteries and Application Information -
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.
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Licensing - Lotteries and Application Information -
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 Policies Procedures and The Law -
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 Policies Procedures and The Law Establishing a Business Licensing - Lotteries and Application Information -
Can I apply for the lottery and then add backers if I am selected in the lottery?
No. 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 Policies Procedures and The Law Establishing a Business Licensing - Lotteries and Application Information -
Can a business entity be a Backer of a cannabis establishment?
No, a Backer applicant cannot be an entity. A Backer applicant must be an individual or individuals who meet the criteria outlined in Section 1(2) of Public Act 21-1 (June Spec. Sess.).
Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Backers and Business Owners -
Are cannabis establishments required to be located a certain distance from any other buildings or businesses, including more than 1,500 feet from a school?
Each municipality has the authority to establish restrictions on the proximity of cannabis establishments to any of the following: churches, public or parochial schools, convents, charitable institutions supported by private or public funds, hospitals or veterans' homes or any camps, barracks or flying fields of the armed forces.
Zoning and Municipalities Licensing Frequently Asked Questions Location and Zoning Establishing a Business