Applicants and Licensees / Renewing Your License
Renewing Your License
If you’re an adult-use or medical-use licensee who has been approved by the Commission for a provisional license, final license, or you have begun operation, you must renew your license annually.
As the Commission continues to implement regulatory changes that were promulgated in October 2023, information contained on these webpages may require updates and/or verification by applicants and licensees in order to maintain compliance. Thank you for your understanding.
Overview
All licenses become active when they are provisionally approved by the Commission and the license fee is received and processed, licenses expire one year from the date of issue.
You must submit your application for renewal at least 60 days prior to the license expiring.
All licensees receive an email notice approximately 90 days prior to the license expiration date.
You can also find your expiration date on your license certificate (located in the upper right corner of the certificate) and in your account dates on the Massachusetts Cannabis Industry Portal (MassCIP).
You must submit your application for renewal at least 60 days prior to the license expiring.
How to Renew
Follow these steps to renew your license:
Step 1
Log into the MassCIP using your username and password.
Step 2
Update changes to the following information (if necessary):
- Contact information
- Business information for entities currently on the license
- Personal information for individuals currently on the license
- Individuals and entities no longer associated with the license
- Information pertaining to individual interest in cannabis-related businesses and licenses in Massachusetts and other jurisdictions
- Square footage of the licensee’s building and the number of abutters within 300 feet of the property
- Disclosure of the amount of funds that have accrued to the host community as a result of the executed Host Community Agreement, along with documentation
- Any updates to background check information that has occurred in the past year for all individuals and entities associated with the license
Please note that you must contact the Commission directly if you wish to add or update the following information:
- Add individuals or entities that will obtain ownership or control over the establishment.
- Change location of the establishment.
- Change the name of the establishment.
Step 3
Provide the following information:
- Licensee’s plan to remain compliant with local ordinances or bylaws to specifically include all information pertaining to zoning districts, special permits, building permits, certificates of occupancy, and any other local licensing requirement.
- An updated certificate of good standing from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, and Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance.
- An updated timeline to become operational which includes the following: outstanding local approvals, operational impediments, and specific projected date(s) as to when any issue will be resolved and the establishment will become operational.
- Updated summaries of plans, policies, and procedures relating to security, transportation, prevention of diversion, quality control and testing, dispensing, inventory, and others that were previously required.
- Statements and documentation demonstrating the reasonable progress or success of the programs implemented as part of the licensee’s Positive Impact Plan submitted as part of its initial application.
- An updated Positive Impact Plan (optional).
- Statements and documentation demonstrating the reasonable progress or success of the programs implemented as part of the licensee’s Diversity Plan submitted as part of its initial application.
- An updated Diversity Plan (optional).
Step 4
Supply information for your specific license.
Cultivators and Craft Marijuana Cooperatives
Cultivators and Craft Marijuana Cooperatives must provide documentation and information that demonstrates that the cultivation operation has sold more than 70% of its product that has been fully harvested within the preceding six months. You may upload this information in MassCIP.
Cultivators and Craft Marijuana Cooperatives may have their tier level reduced if, based on the dry weight analysis, they have sold less than 70% of the amount of marijuana cultivated and cured to Product Manufacturers or Retailers. When determining whether to reduce a licensee’s tier, additional factors may be considered:
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- Cultivation and production history and whether the inventory suffered a catastrophic event
- Transfer, sales, and excise tax payment history
- Existing inventory
- Sales contracts
- Any other relevant factor to ensure responsible management
Product Manufacturers, Microbusinesses, and Craft Marijuana Cooperatives
These licensees must provide detailed information regarding the products they produced, including all types, forms, dosages, colors, and shapes.
Co-located Marijuana Retailers
Co-located Marijuana Retailers shall submit the following information pertaining to Registered Qualifying Patients supply of marijuana:
-
- The licensee’s policy and the procedures (e.g., data points, formulas) relied on to determine what constitutes a sufficient quantity and variety of marijuana products consistent with 935 CMR 500.140(10)
- The licensee’s policy and procedures for determining what qualifies as a reasonable substitution for a medical marijuana product under 935 CMR 500.140(10) and its policy for communicating reliance on the substitution to Registered Qualifying Patients.
Step 5
Pay your annual license fee. View the schedule of fees.
Step 6
If you receive written notice that your renewal application is denied, you may request a hearing on the denial of your renewal application by submitting a request for hearing in writing within 21 days of the effective date stated in the notice. Failing to timely request a hearing shall constitute a waiver of your right to a hearing before the Commission.
FAQs
What information will I need to show the financial benefits accruing to the city or town stemming from the Host Community Agreement?
All licensees are required to have executed host community agreements with the city or town in which the establishment is located. The Commission’s regulations require licensees to disclose the financial benefits accruing to the municipality. The licensee must disclose the gross revenue of financial benefits accruing to the municipality. In addition to the disclosure, licensees must provide documentation that equates to the gross revenue. Some documents that are permissible include the following: the licensee’s financial reports, bank statements showing the beneficiary as the city or town, or a letter from the city’s or town’s financial officer or chief executive officer.
What will I need to show for documentation to demonstrate the reasonable progress or success of my Positive Impact Plan?
Licensees are required to have a positive impact on disproportionately affected areas. All licensees submit a Positive Impact Plan in their initial application that outline the goals, programs, and measurements they plan to implement. Licensees are then required to demonstrate the progress or success of those programs. Licensees should utilize the measurements, and overall metrics, to demonstrate progress or success of each component of their plan.
Documentation that may be submitted to demonstrate the progress or success of the plan include the following:
- Internal reports with data that can be corroborated
- Service and vendor agreements
- Employment reports
- News articles
- Third-Party documentation
- Documentation of donations provided
What will I need to show for documentation to demonstrate the reasonable progress or success of my Diversity Plan?
Licensees are required to promote equity among women, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities, people of all gender identities and sexual orientation. All licensees submit a Diversity Plan in their initial application that outline the goals, programs, and measurements they plan to implement or have implemented. Licensees are then required to demonstrate the progress or success of those programs. Licensees should utilize the measurements, and overall metrics, to demonstrate progress or success of each component of their plan. Documentation that may be submitted to demonstrate the progress or success of the plan include the following:
- Internal reports with data that can be corroborated
- Service and vendor agreements
- Employment reports
- News articles
- Third-Party documentation
Why do I need to update the summaries of the plan, policies, and procedures of the establishment?
All licensees are required to update the information contained within its original application for licensure. Licensees must also keep and maintain standard operating procedures pursuant to the Commission’s regulations. These standard operating procedures may be used to update these plans as long as the relevant sections are uploaded separately.
Must I complete background checks and fingerprints for individuals and entities for the renewal application?
No. However, all individuals associated with the establishment must be registered as agents. The licensee is required to perform annual background checks on all agents.
What background information must I disclose for individuals and entities?
All background information required under 935 CMR 500.101(1)(b)(3) and any other information that may have direct correlation to the suitability of individuals and entities must be disclosed.
What documentation must I provide to show that I sold more than 70% of our product during the past six months for my Cultivation or Craft Marijuana Cooperative License?
Regulations require documentation to demonstrate the amount of marijuana cultivated and sold. Documentation that should be provided include the following:
- Metrc report showing cultivation and production history including a statement of whether the plants or inventory suffered a catastrophic event since the issuance or last renewal of the license
- Transfer, sales, and tax payment history
- Existing inventory and inventory history
- Sales contracts
- Any other factors or documentation relevant to ensuring responsible cultivation, production, and inventory management.
What if, under my cultivation license, I did not sell more than 70% of our product during the past six months?
The Commission may relegate or reduce your tier level.
Do I need to provide a full list of all products that we produce under a product manufacturer license?
Yes. You must disclose a full list of the names, types, forms, descriptions, and item pictures for all products produced.
How long are certificates of good standing valid for the renewal application?
Certificates of good standing are valid for 60 days. The Commission considers a certificate valid as long as it is not older than 60 days from the date the renewal application is submitted.
What if my license expires and I don’t renew?
The license is no longer valid, and the licensee must cease operations immediately.
Can I renew multiple licenses at once?
You may renew multiple licenses at once if they expire during the same time frame. Renewal applications become available 90 days prior to the expiration date and must be submitted no later than 60 days from the date the license expires. Each license must be renewed using a separate renewal application within the MassCIP.
Can I request a change in ownership or control, location, or name of the establishment when I renew?
You may submit the change request at the same time. However, the renewal of the license will take precedence.
Will I need an inspection prior to renewing my license?
Investigators conduct announced and unannounced inspections periodically. The Commission may carry out an inspection, request documentation, or take other investigative action as necessary.
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Meeting
The Cannabis Control Commission conducts meetings and other events to keep you informed.
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Notice List
Sign up for updates from the Cannabis Control Commission.
