California Cannabis License Guidelines

California Department of Cannabis Control

Licensing and Enforcement Criteria

The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) is the California state agency that licenses and regulates cannabis businesses. DCC regulates the:

  • Growing of cannabis plants
  • Manufacture of cannabis products
  • Transportation and tracking of cannabis goods throughout the state
  • Sale of cannabis goods
  • Events where cannabis is sold or used
  • Labeling of goods sold at retail

The DCC was created on July 12, 2021, by consolidating the three former state cannabis authorities:

  • Bureau of Cannabis Control (Department of Consumer Affairs)
  • CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing Division (California Department of Food and Agriculture)
  • Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch (California Department of Public Health)

The Cannabis Advisory Committee makes recommendations to DCC about regulations and licensing.

The Cannabis Advisory Committee (CAC) is tasked with advising DCC on the development of relevant standards and regulations for commercial cannabis businesses, including those necessary to protect public health and safety. These requirements are guided by Business and Professions codes.  

The CAC is expected to provide valuable input to DCC’s development of regulations and standards through its comprehensive representation and each individual member’s unique perspective on consumer, community, and market issues. In addition, the CAC will provide an important venue for DCC to hold robust public discussions that support the development of an innovative regulatory framework that benefits all Californians and results in a safe, sustainable, and equitable cannabis market.

The California Cannabis Authority is a Joint Powers Authority established by county governments pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act to provide its members access to a sophisticated data analytics platform to regulate commercial cannabis in their jurisdiction.  By providing current, actionable intelligence and reports, local regulators and tax officials will have the power to make decisions efficiently based on facts to increase tax realization and enhance both public safety and economic prosperity.

California Cannabis Law & Compliance

Several laws and ordinances regulate the California cannabis industry. These laws range over dispositions for cultivators, manufacturers, distributors and retail dispensaries. The most recent news can be found on these websites:

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FAQs

Where can I apply for an MMIC?

You can obtain an MMIC only at your county program and not through your attending physician or an evaluation center. Visit the county offices and contact information page.

I am a qualified patient. How and what documentation do I need to apply for an MMIC?

You will need to fill out an Application/Renewal Form. You must reside in the California county where the application is submitted. You will need to provide current documentation with your application as follows:

  • A copy of your medical recommendation.
  • Proof of identity. This can be a valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver license or identification (ID) card or other valid government-issued photo ID card.
  • Proof of residency, such as:
    • Rental or mortgage agreement,
    • Utility bill, or
    • California DMV motor vehicle registration.

You must apply in person at your county program. There, you will be asked to:

  • Pay the fee required by your county program (not to exceed $100). Medi-Cal beneficiaries will receive a 50 percent reduction in the application fee (not to exceed $50), and the fees shall be waived for indigent patients who are eligible for and participate in the County Medical Services Program.
  • Have your photo taken at the county’s program office. This photo will appear on your MMIC.

How long is an MMIC valid?

The MMIC may be valid for up to one year. A primary caregiver MMIC will expire when the patient’s card expires even if it is less than 12 months.

How much does it cost to apply for an MMIC?

All administrative costs for the Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program at the county level are fee supported.

Proposition 64 (The Adult Use of Marijuana Act, 2016), Health and Safety Code Section 11362.755 requires the county program to establish application fees for persons seeking to obtain, renew, or replace identification cards. 

Pursuant to this law, county programs may charge an amount (not to exceed $100) per Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) application or renewal, must give a 50 percent reduction per card for Medi-Cal eligible applicants, and  waive fees for indigent patients who are eligible for, and participate in, the County Medical Services Program. The counties have authority to cover their expenses through the application fees; therefore, established fees will vary by county. Please contact your county program to find out what the MMIC fee is.

How much medical marijuana can I have in my possession?

Per Health and Safety Code Section 11362.77, a qualified patient or primary caregiver may possess no more than eight (8) ounces of dried marijuana per qualified patient. In addition, a qualified patient or primary caregiver may also maintain no more than six (6) mature or twelve (12) immature marijuana plants.

California Cannabis License Types

The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) issues licenses based on the type of cannabis activity that your business will perform. If you will do more than one activity, you may need more than one license.

You must have a valid DCC license before performing any commercial cannabis activity, including:

  • Growing cannabis (cultivation)
  • Transporting cannabis (distribution)
  • Making cannabis products (manufacturing)
  • Testing cannabis or cannabis products (testing laboratory)
  • Selling cannabis (retail)
  • Holding an event where cannabis will be sold (event organizers)

Cultivation - Specialty cottage

  • Specialty cottage outdoor – up to 25 mature plants or up to 2,500 square feet of canopy
  • Specialty cottage indoor – up to 500 square feet of canopy
  • Specialty cottage mixed-light tier 1 and 2 – up to 2,500 square feet of canopy

Cultivation - Specialty

  • Specialty outdoor – up to 50 mature plants or up to 5,000 square feet of canopy
  • Specialty indoor – 501 to 5,000 square feet of canopy
  • Specialty mixed-light tier 1 and 2 – 2,501 to 5,000 square feet of canopy

Cultivation - Small

  • Small outdoor – 5,001 to 10,000 square feet of canopy
  • Small indoor – 5,001 to 10,000 square feet of canopy
  • Small mixed-light tier 1 and 2 – 5,001 to 10,000 square feet of canopy

Cultivation - Medium

  • Medium outdoor – 10,001 square feet to 1 acre of canopy
  • Medium indoor – 10,001 to 22,000 square feet of canopy
  • Medium mixed-light tier 1 and 2 – 10,001 to 22,000 square feet of canopy

Cultivation - Large

  • Large outdoor – more than 1 acre of total canopy
  • Large indoor – more than 22,000 square feet of total canopy
  • Large mixed-light – mixed-light site with more than 22,000 square feet of total canopy

Cultivation - Nursery

For cultivators that only grow clones, immature plants, seeds or other types of cannabis used for propagation.

Cultivation - Processor

For cultivators that only trim, sift, cure, dry, grade, package or label cannabis.

Manufacturer - Type 7

  • Use volatile solvents for extraction or post-extraction processing of cannabis extract
  • Use non-volatile solvents for extraction or post processing
  • Use mechanical methods for extraction
  • Make cannabis products through infusion
  • Package and label cannabis products

Manufacturer - Type 6

  • Use non-volatile solvents for extraction or post-extraction processing
  • Use mechanical methods for extraction
  • Make cannabis products through infusion
  • Package and label cannabis products

Manufacturer - Type N

  • Make cannabis products through infusion
  • Package and label cannabis

Infusion mixes cannabis extract or plant material with other ingredients to make a cannabis product.

Manufacturer - Type P

Type P manufacturers can only package and label cannabis products.

Manufacturer - Type S

  • Extract cannabis using butter or food-grade oils, water, glycerin, vegetable oil, animal fat, or using mechanical methods
  • Make cannabis products through infusion
  • Package and label cannabis

Shared-use facilities are places where multiple Type S manufacturers rotate on a schedule and share space and equipment. A Type 7, 6 or N license can register all or part of their manufacturing premises as a shared-use facility.

Distributor - Type 11

Type 11 distributors can:

  • Move cannabis and cannabis products between cultivation, manufacturing or distribution premises
  • Move finished cannabis goods to retail premises
  • Provide storage services to other licensees
  • Arrange for testing of cannabis goods

Transport-Only Distributor - Type 13

Type 13 distributors can move cannabis and cannabis products between cultivation, manufacturing or distribution premises. Reduced fees are available if you only want to transport the goods you cultivate or manufacture.

Testing Laboratory

Testing laboratories must obtain and maintain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. You can use an interim testing license while you work on your accreditation.

Non-Storefront Retailer (Delivery Only)

A non-storefront retailer sells cannabis goods to customers only through delivery.

Storefront Retailer

A storefront retailer has a physical location where cannabis goods are sold. Storefront retailers can also deliver cannabis goods.

Microbusiness

The Type 12 license is for businesses that do at least three of the following activities at one location:

  • Cultivation – up to 10,000 total square feet
  • Manufacturing – use of non-volatile solvents, mechanical extraction or infusion
  • Distribution or distribution transport-only
  • Retail – storefront or non-storefront

Cannabis Event

There are two cannabis event license types:

  • Event organizer – for the person hosting cannabis events
  • Temporary cannabis event – for the event itself

Cannabis events can only be held by a person with an event organizer license.

Application Fee Schedule
License Type Fee Per License
Application Testing Laboratory, Distributor, Retailer, Microbusiness Annual License $1000
Cannabis Event Organizer License $1000
Temporary Cannabis Event License $1000
Physical Modification of Premises for Testing Laboratory, Distributor, Retailer, Microbusiness, Manufacturing License $500
Type 6, 7, N, or P Annual Manufacturing Licenses $1000
Type S Annual Manufacturing License $500
Cultivation Annual License See Below

 

The following are the application fees due for the specified annual cultivation license types to be paid at the time the complete application is submitted to the Department:

 

Application Fee Schedule for Cultivation
License Type Fee Per License
Specialty Cottage Outdoor $135
Specialty Cottage Indoor $205
Specialty Cottage Mixed-Light Tier 1 $340
Specialty Cottage Mixed-Light Tier 2 $580
Specialty Outdoor $270
Specialty Indoor $2,170
Specialty Mixed-Light Tier 1 $655
Specialty Mixed-Light Tier 2 $1,125
Small Outdoor $535
Small Indoor $3,935
Small Mixed-Light Tier 1 $1,310
Small Mixed-Light Tier 2 $2,250
Medium Outdoor $1,555
Medium Indoor $8,655
Medium Mixed-Light Tier 1 $2,885
Medium Mixed-Light Tier 2 $4,945
Nursery $520
Processor $1,040

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