California Cannabis License Types
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Delivery Type 9 & Storefront Type 10 License – For the sale and delivery of cannabis and cannabis products to consumers. A retailer must conduct business from a commercial premises that is a physical location. A retailer’s premises may be closed to the public and they may conduct sales exclusively by delivery. Storefront retail includes onsite consumption lounges if approved by the local city or county.
Department of Cannabis Control Cultivation Info
Specialty Cottage
Outdoor = Up to 25 mature plants on one site
Indoor < 500 sq. ft. of total canopy on one site
*Mixed-Light Tier 1 & 2 < 2,500 sq. ft. total canopy on one site
Specialty
Outdoor < 5,000 sq. ft. of total canopy size on one site or up to 50 mature plants on noncontiguous plots.
Indoor = Between 501 – 5,000 sq. ft. of total canopy on one site
Mixed-Light Tier 1 & 2 = Between 2,501 – 5,000sq. ft. of total canopy on one site
Small
Outdoor = Between 5,001 – 10,000 sq. ft. of total canopy size on one site.
Indoor = Between 5,001 – 10,000sq. ft. of total canopy size on one site.
Mixed-Light Tier 1 & 2 = Between 5,001 – 10,000sq. ft. of total canopy size on one site.
Medium
Outdoor = Between 10,001 sq. ft. to one acre of total canopy size on one site. The number of these licenses will be limited.
Indoor = Between 10,001 – 22,000 sq. ft. of total canopy size on one site. The number of these licenses will be limited
Mixed-Light Tier 1 & 2 = Between 10,001 – 22,000 sq. ft. of total size on one site. The number of these licenses will be limited.
Nursery
Produces only clones, immature plants, seeds, & other Ag products used specifically for the propagation & cultivation of cannabis.
Processor
Conducts only trimming, drying, curing, grading, packaging, or labeling of cannabis and nonmanufactured cannabis products.
Large
No Large licenses may be issued before January 1, 2023. The number of these licenses will be limited. Large Licensees cannot hold a Distributor or Microbusiness license.
Outdoor > 1 acre of total canopy size on one premises.
Indoor > 22,000 sq. ft. of total canopy size on one premises.
Mixed-Light Tier 1 & 2 > 22,000 sq. ft. of total canopy size on one premises.
*Mixed-Light Tier 1 = 0 – 6 watts per sq ft or less. Includes any outdoor use of light dep
*Mixed-Light Tier 2 = 7 – 25 watts per sq ft.
Department of Cannabis Control Manufacturing Info
Nonvolatile Type 6 = Manufacture of cannabis products using nonvolatile solvents or no solvents (e.g. water or butter extractions). A Type 6 licensee may perform Type N or P tasks.
Volatile Type 7 = Manufacture of cannabis products using volatile solvents. Includes a solvent that is or produces a flammable gas or vapor that, when present in the air in sufficient quantities, will create explosive or ignitable mixtures. (e.g. butane, propane, ethanol). A Type 7 licensee may perform Type 6, N, or P tasks.
Infusions Type N = Businesses that only conduct infusions (e.g. create edibles, topicals, or other products) using extracts from another licensed manufacturer. May also package and label products for other licensed cannabis manufacturers.
Packager Type P = Businesses that only package and label products for other licensed cannabis manufacturers.
Shared-Use Type S = For shared-use manufacturing facilities. This license type is for businesses that take turns utilizing the space and equipment.
Department of Cannabis Control Lab Info
Testing Lab Type 8 License = Performs tests of cannabis goods; Type 8 Lab Licensees may not hold any other type of cannabis business license.
Distributor Type 11 License = All cannabis goods must be transported by a licensed Distributor. A cannabis business may not deliver their own wholesale products to manufacturers or retailers unless they are a microbusiness licensed for distribution or they obtain the separate Distributor license. Distributors are responsible for conducting quality assurance review of cannabis goods to ensure they comply with all the packaging and labeling requirements. They are also responsible for arranging lab testing, Track & Trace oversight, and tax collection. Type 5 Large Cultivator Licensees may not obtain a Distributor license.
Distributor Type 13 Transport-Only License = Allows for the transportation of cannabis goods between licensed cultivators, manufacturers, and distributors. This includes self-transportation and transportation for others. A Distributor Transport-Only Licensee may not transport cannabis goods to a licensed retailer or microbusiness retailer except for immature plants and seeds. To get cannabis goods to retail, a Transport-Only Licensee must take them to a licensed Distributor who will conduct quality assurance, collect taxes, etc. They may not engage in any other distributor activities.
Microbusiness Type 12 License = This is a special license that provides a winery/craft brewery model for cannabis. With a Microbusiness license a cannabis business that cultivates less than 10,000 square feet may act as a licensed distributor, nonvolatile manufacturer, and retailer under this one license reducing the costs for small cannabis businesses. Type 4 Medium and Type 5 Large Cultivators may not obtain a Microbusiness license.
Cannabis Lounges
Cannabis lounges with onsite consumption will be allowed for retail licensees that have local approval from their city or county for this activity.
Cannabis Events
There are two types of event licenses
- 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.
This information is to be used as a general guide and is not a comprehensive list of all requirements that may apply to your business. Contact us for advice on regulations specific to your business.
