California Marijuana Licensing
Related Pages:
California Marijuana Cultivation License >
California Marijuana Distribution License >
California Marijuana Event Organizer License >
California Marijuana Manufacturing License >
California Marijuana Microbusiness License >
California Marijuana Testing License >
What License Types Exist in California?
There are 17 cannabis business license types in California, depending on the form of marijuana business activity you want to engage in. The license types include:
Type 1 - Cultivation; Specialty Outdoor; Small
This license is issued to business owners engaging in outdoor cultivation that does not utilize artificial lighting of more than 5,000 square feet of the total canopy size on one premises or as many as 50 mature plants on plots.
Type 1A - Cultivation; Specialty Indoor; Small
The Type 1A license is issued to applicants engaging in indoor cultivation using solely artificial lighting of not more than 5,000 square feet of total canopy size on one site.
Type 1B - Cultivation; Specialty Mixed-light; Small
This is issued to applicants cultivating cannabis, using both natural and supplemental artificial lighting together at a maximum threshold of less than or equal to 5,000 square feet of total canopy size on one site as dictated by the licensing authority.
Type 2 - Cultivation; Outdoor; Small
This license is issued to applicants engaged in outdoor cultivation using no artificial lighting ranging from 5,001 and 10,000 square feet, including total canopy size on one site.
Type 2A - Cultivation; Indoor; Small
Indoor cultivation using exclusively artificial lighting between 5,001 and 10,000 square feet, including total canopy size on one site.
Type 2B - Cultivation; Mixed-light; Small
This license is issued to applicants engaged in cultivation using both natural and supplemental artificial lighting together at a maximum threshold that will be dictated by the licensing authority. The maximum threshold usually ranges from 5,001 and 10,000 square feet, including total canopy size on one site.
Type 3 - Cultivation; Outdoor; Medium
This is issued to applicants engaged in outdoor cultivation using no artificial lighting from 10,001 square feet to one acre, including total canopy size on one site. The Department of Food and Agriculture restricts the number of licenses allowed of this type.
Type 3A - Cultivation; Indoor; Medium
The Type 3A license is issued for indoor cultivation using exclusively artificial lighting between 10,001 and 22,000 square feet, including total canopy size on one site. The Department of Food and Agriculture restricts the number of licenses allowed of this type.
Type 3B - Cultivation; Mixed-light; Medium
This is issued for cultivation using a combination of natural and supplemental artificial lighting at a maximum threshold to be specified by the licensing authority, ranging from 10,001 to 22,000 square feet, including total canopy size on one site. The Department of Food and Agriculture restricts the number of licenses allowed of this type.
Type 4 - Cultivation; Nursery
The Type 4 license is issued for the cultivation of medical cannabis solely as a nursery. Applicants issued the Type 4 license may transport live plants.
Type 6 - Manufacturer 1
This is issued for manufacturing sites that produce medical cannabis products using nonvolatile solvents.
Type 7 - Manufacturer 2
Applicants who own manufacturing sites producing medical cannabis products using volatile solvents are mandated to obtain this license. The State Department of Public Health restricts the number of licenses of this type.
Type 8 - Testing
This license is issued to authorize the testing of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. Testing licensees are required to have their facilities licensed in accordance with the regulations defined by the department. A testing licensee cannot hold a license in another cannabis license category. A licensee cannot also own or have an ownership interest in a facility licensed under the Department of Cannabis Control.
Type 10 - Dispensary; General
The Type 10 license is issued to a facility that offers medical cannabis, medical cannabis products, or devices for the use of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products. These services may be offered separately or in any combination, for retail sale, including an establishment that delivers, as part of a retail sale, medical cannabis and medical cannabis products under express authorization.
Type 10A - Dispensary; No more than three retail sites
This license is issued to dispensers who have at most three licensed dispensary facilities. It authorizes delivery if the local ordinance permits it.
Type 11 - Distribution
This license is issued for the distribution of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products from the manufacturer to the dispensary. A Type 11 licensee is required to obtain a Type 12 or transporter license and register each location where the product is stored for distribution. A Type 11 licensee must not possess a license in a cultivation, manufacturing, dispensing, or testing license category. The licensee must also not own, or be interested in owning a facility licensed in those categories, excluding a security interest, lien, or encumbrance on property used by a licensee. A Type 11 licensee shall be bonded and insured based on the provisions of the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC).
Type 12 - Transporter
The Type 12 license is issued to authorize the transportation of medical cannabis or medical cannabis products between license holders. A Type 12 licensee shall be insured and bonded based on the provisions of the DCC.
