Step 1: Review Laws 

Research the laws and regulations governing adult-use or medical-use marijuana for more information about the regulatory requirements for licensure in the city or town you wish to operate.

Some municipalities, such as the City of Boston, require additional steps before submitting your application to the Commission. You may wish to speak with the municipality and inquire about the necessary requirements for operating a Marijuana Establishment within the area. View the status of municipal zoning and bylaws by city or town.

Step 2: Make Plans

Begin researching and writing the operational plans for your business—you will need these plans later when you submit your application to the Cannabis Control Commission. All plans must be compliant with adult-use or medical-use regulations. 

Some plans include, but are not limited to, a business plan, a diversity plan, a security plan, a plan for positive impact, and a plan to remain compliant with local codes and ordinances. Each plan should be tailored to your application and include items required in the regulations.

Step 3: Gather Information 

Gather information related to the persons and entities who will be listed on the license and who will have control over the business. The persons and entities that must be included in the application are defined by the regulations.

When you are ready to submit your application, you must include identifying information about each person and entity to be listed.

Step 4: Hold a Community Outreach Meeting and Sign a Host Community Agreement

Host a Community Outreach Meeting and work with the municipality on the required Host Community Agreement.

As part of the application process, you must submit evidence that a Community Outreach Meeting occurred and that an HCA has been signed with the municipality. 

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Visit the Massachusetts Cannabis Industry Portal (MassCIP) to begin the process for a Marijuana Establishment license application or a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center license application. Submit your application along with applicable license and background check fees. 

Step 6: Wait for Approval

The Commission will review the application based on its priority status and when it was submitted. Once the review is complete, the applicant will be notified via email. Additional information may be required upon review. Once the application is deemed complete, the Commission will request that background checks and fingerprinting be performed by all individuals listed on the license.

A certification form will be sent to the host municipality to confirm your establishment is in compliance with local codes and ordinances. Once these steps have been completed, the Commission may consider your application for a provisional license. 

The Commission will issue either a provisional license or a rejection within 90 days of your license application.

Step 7: Architectural Review

Pursuant to 935 CMR 500.103 and 501.103, a licensee shall submit an Architectural Plan Review Request Form for the building or renovation of an ME and/or MTC once licensed. The licensee shall not begin any building or renovations until the architectural review request is approved by the Commission. For licensees to receive approval to begin building or renovation of a licensed premises, an individual with authority or control over the management and operations of the licensee must fill out and submit the Architectural Plan Review Request Form, with appropriate payment. The licensee is required to submit all applicable municipal permits and plans associated with the proposed work as part of the review. Once approved, the licensee will receive an approval notice from the Commission.

Step 8: Post Provisional License Inspection

Once the licensed premises is built out, has received all local approvals, and is ready for inspection, the licensee will request a post-provisional license inspection (PPLI) form by emailing the Commission at Inspections@CCCMass.com. The requestor will submit the “Request for Post-provisional License Inspection” form that was included in its provisional license approval packet sent from the Commission’s Licensing department. This form will have the licensee attest to being in compliance with regulatory requirements inclusive of security, storage of marijuana, transportation, operating procedures and record-keeping, local compliance, advertising, and specific requirements placed on license types.

The PPLI request will be assigned to a lead Investigator or Compliance Officer who will request a list of supplemental documentation. Once all documentation is received and reviewed, the lead will schedule an interview with the licensee to discuss their facility, business, and licensure plans. A mutually available onsite inspection will be scheduled following the interview. Dependent upon the licensee’s readiness for inspection, timeliness in submitting required documents, as well as staff availability, inspections for General Applicants are typically scheduled within eight to 10 weeks, while inspections for Priority and Expedited Applicants are typically scheduled within four to six weeks.

If deficiencies are observed or discovered during the inspection, the licensee will receive a Notice of Deficiency (NOD) from the lead. The Licensee will have 10 business days to submit a Plan of Correction (POC) to the lead, detailing the proposed corrective action plan, estimated timeline, and date by which compliance will be achieved in the most expeditious manner possible. The lead will accept or reject the POC. Once no deficiencies exist, the lead will write a report, recommending final licensure to the board, subject to a public meeting vote.

Step 9: Post Final License Inspection

Once a licensee receives final licensure, the licensee can begin cultivating, manufacturing, or wholesaling marijuana/marijuana products dependent upon the license type. The licensee cannot move product down the supply chain. Once product is tested and the licensee is ready for inspection, the licensee will request a Post-Final License Inspection (PFLI) via email at Inspections@CCCMass.com. The lead will request supplemental documentation. Once all documentation is received and reviewed, a mutually available onsite inspection will be scheduled. Dependent upon the licensee’s readiness for inspection, timeliness in submitting required documents, as well as staff availability, inspections for General Applicants are typically scheduled within five weeks, while inspections for Priority and Expedited Applicants are typically scheduled within three weeks. If deficiencies are observed or discovered during the inspection, the licensee will receive an NOD from the lead. The Licensee will have 10 business days to submit a POC to the lead, detailing the proposed corrective action plan, estimated timeline, and date by which compliance will be achieved in the most expeditious manner possible. The lead will accept or reject the POC. Once no deficiencies exist, the lead will write a report, recommending commencement of operations. Upon review of the inspection report, the licensee will receive a notification that it is allowed to commence operations and start operating as a business.

Questions?

Have questions about the licensing process? Contact us at 774-415-0200 or Commission@CCCMass.com.