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Get a Commercial Grow License [State Guide]

August 22, 2022

Until federal legalization is complete, each state has taken up the task of establishing personalized laws and regulations regarding cannabis. Get information organized by state on how or where to obtain a commercial grow license. From there you can initiate plans to build or buy a commercial grow facility.

  • Alaska’s state agency is the Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office.
  • Alabama cultivation licenses are issued by the Medical Cannabis Commission. Starting Sept. 1, 2022, applications will be accepted for an integrated facility license or a cultivator processor license.
  • Arizona’s state agency is the Arizona Department of Health Services. For now, a grow license can only be obtained by first opening a cannabis dispensary.
  • Arkansas’s state agency is the Medical Marijuana Commission.
  • California cultivation licenses are issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
  • Colorado permits through the Colorado Cannabis website.
  • Connecticut cultivator license lottery is currently closed.
  • Delaware’s medical compassion centers are required to grow all sold product. The state is not currently accepting applications.
  • District of Columbia licenses are issued through the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration.
  • Florida’s Department of Health only allows licensed medical marijuana treatment centers to cultivate, process and dispense low-THC and medical cannabis.
  • Hawaii licensed medical marijuana dispensaries are the only businesses allowed to grow, process and distribute cannabis.
  • Illinois permits through the Illinois Department of Agriculture website. The state issues two types of cannabis cultivation licenses: one for craft growers and another for an adult-use cultivation center.
  • Louisiana has only granted Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and Southern University Agricultural Center permission to grow and cultivate here.
  • Maine permits directly from the state’s Office of Cannabis Policy.
  • Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission has 15 pre-approved growers, however no actual final licenses to grow have been issued.
  • Massachusetts’s state agency is the Cannabis Control Commission.
  • Michigan’s state agency is the Marijuana Regulatory Agency.
  • Minnesota’s medical cannabis manufacturers must grow, process, and distribute to program participants. Two manufacturers are registered and the law does not allow for additional registration.  
  • Mississippi Department of Health is currently accepting license applications for new cultivation facilities.
  • Missouri’s Department of Health & Senior Services is responsible for overseeing and regulating the application process.
  • Montana licenses through the Department of Revenue, Cannabis Control Division. Applications for new grow businesses will be available beginning July 1, 2023.
  • Nevada licenses are issued by the state’s Department of Taxation via Marijuana License Applications. Updates on licenses can be found on the Cannabis Compliance Board website.
  • New Hampshire is medical only; their alternative treatment centers are required to grow everything sold. The state is not currently accepting applications.
  • New Jersey permits through the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The number of Class 1 Cultivators is to be held to 37 licenses until Feb 22, 2023.
  • New Mexico’s Cannabis Control Division regulates all licensees operating in cannabis markets.
  • New York permits through the Office of Cannabis Management. The application window for the Adult-Use Conditional Cultivator License was March 15, 2022 to June 30, 2022.
  • North Dakota is medical only; their compassion centers are required to grow everything sold. The state is not currently accepting applications.
  • Ohio’s Department of Commerce licenses and regulates medical cannabis growers.
  • Oklahoma permits through the Medical Marijuana Authority. A new state law implements a moratorium on new grower, processor and dispensary licenses beginning 12:01 a.m. Aug. 26, 2022. The moratorium will last up to two years.
  • Oregon permits through the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission website.
  • Pennsylvania’s Department of Health handles Pennsylvania grower licenses.
  • Rhode Island utilizes the Office of Cannabis Regulation to issue medical cultivators licenses to produce for licensed compassion centers. Applications are not currently being accepted.
  • South Dakota’s Department of Health handles grower licenses.
  • Utah permits through the Department of Health & Human Services. New grow applications are not being offered now.
  • Vermont’s state agency is the Cannabis Control Board. Vermont cultivator licensing is open and includes options for indoor growing, outdoor growing, and mixed cultivation.
  • Virginia allows for five pharmaceutical processor permits to cultivate, process, and dispense medical cannabis to patients. Applications are not currently being accepted.
  • Washington state permits through the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. New applications are not currently being accepted.
  • West Virginia’s Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health, Office of Medical Cannabis is not accepting applications.

Please review state agencies for updates, as laws often change.

Some states allow the purchase of an existing cannabis production company and license from an established party. This path is an alternative to waiting for applications to open and submitting anew, locating eligible real estate and starting new construction on a commercial grow facility. Existing commercial grow facilities can be upgraded and customized. As each site presents its own advantages and challenges, it is key to have a partner who is experienced in the industry to guide the way.

Canna Real Estate Group is the premier consultant for cannabis and marijuana real estate, cannabis financial services, and cannabis architecture and construction throughout the United States. We offer start-to-finish real estate consulting services for cannabis companies. Request a free consultation to discuss your plans and find solutions for your unique business needs. Our specialty is overcoming key obstacles that commonly cause disruptions in projects.