Medical Marijuana Treatment Center License Applications Move Online to the Massachusetts Cannabis Industry Portal

WORCESTER—The Cannabis Control Commission (Commission)’s Massachusetts Cannabis Industry Portal (MassCIP) is becoming home to all state marijuana licensing activity in the Commonwealth as the application process for Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MTCs), formerly known as Registered Marijuana Dispensaries, moved online this week for the first time.

MassCIP has served as the Commission’s licensing and agent registration platform since it began accepting adult use applications in April 2018 in accordance with state law. Following the transfer of the Medical Use of Marijuana Program to Commission oversight that December, the agency continues to undertake policy and technology changes to enhance service to the medical community and create parity between the licensing process for the adult and medical use of marijuana.

Historically, applicants seeking licensure or registration under the Medical Use of Marijuana Program submitted applications and supplemental materials through a paper-based application process. Beginning January 21 all new MTC applicants could start applying to be certified through the Program strictly through MassCIP. Licensing materials from previously existing applicants, provisional licensees, final licensees, and operating MTCs also will transition online. The Commission offers online tutorials for licensing applicants with instructions to help create an account and navigate MassCIP.

As the MTC application migrates to an all-digital platform, MassCIP will incorporate Medical Use of Marijuana Program updates that were approved as part of the Commission’s regulatory changes promulgated in November 2019. For example, the MTC application fee will decrease to better align with Marijuana Establishment (ME) application fees. Following a 2019 Commission vote, vertically integrated MTC applicants will now be charged a one-time $3,500 application fee instead of the traditional $31,500.

Additionally, the licensing application for MTCs moved from multiple packets to one packet starting on January 21; the application for MEs will transition to one packet soon thereafter. These changes will enable licensees to upload and save application information in one central location, which will allow applicants more insight into their licensing progress and streamline Commission review of all submitted materials.

As of January, 57 MTCs have commenced operations in Massachusetts while another six final licenses and 92 provisional licenses remain outstanding. The Medical Use of Marijuana Program currently serves 67,298 certified patients statewide.

For more information about MassCIP, visit MassCannabisControl.Com, contact the Commission by emailing Commission@CCCMass.Com or calling 774-415-0200, or follow the agency on Facebook and Twitter.

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