State & Local Governments / Licensing Process

Licensing Process

Learn what municipalities should know about the licensing process for Marijuana Establishments (MEs) and Marijuana Medical Treatment Centers (MTCs).

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.

Municipalities may implement their own licensing process, as long as it does not conflict with state laws and regulations governing MEs and MTCs.

Applicants must complete the following steps to become an operational ME or MTC:

1. Facilitate a Community Outreach Meeting within the past six months.
2. Sign a Host Community Agreement with the municipality.
3. Demonstrate that its location and facility comply with local zoning bylaws and ordinances.
4. Complete the Cannabis Control Commission’s (Commission’s) application process, be granted a license, and receive a notice to commence operations.

The Commission will notify the municipality once it receives a completed application.

The municipality has 60 days from receipt of the application to notify the Commission that the applicant is not in compliance with local ordinances or bylaws. If a local ordinance or bylaw requires local permitting or licensing, the applicant is not required to have the permitting or licensing granted at the time of the notice to a municipality. However, the Commission must know whether such permitting or licensing is available for that particular location.

An applicant will receive a provisional license when it completes the application process and the municipality receives notification. If the Commission issues a provisional license and the applicant does not yet have local permits or licenses, the applicant may seek necessary local permits or licenses prior to requesting a final license.

A final license may be issued by the Commission once the applicant has passed all the necessary inspections, including a demonstration that all necessary local permits and licenses have been granted.