If you’re seeking to operate a commercial cannabis business in compliance with California law, Fickel & Davis can assist you.  We can help you obtain a California commercial cannabis license and local business permit.  We’ll provide you with the operating procedures required under California law.  We understand the complexities of licensure and guide clients towards the achievement of their goals.

A cannabis business will need to obtain a local cannabis business permit and state license to legally operate a commercial cannabis business under Calfiornia law.  Local permitting requirements vary by city and county.  For questions about a specific city or county please contact us directly, as the laws are constantly changing.

To obtain a state license, you will need first need to obtain a local business permit. Below is a partial list of the application requirements:

  • Applicant & Business Information: Physical address of the premises, name of applicant(s) or business entity requesting the license, including the primary contact information of the applicant(s)
  • Owner Information: The name, mailing address and contact information for each “owner” of the business as defined by Business and Professions Code §26001
  • License Type & Designation: Describe the cannabis activity and whether the designation is for medical or adult-use.
  • Local Authorization: Documentation demonstrating applicant is authorized to operate in the city/county, including valid license, permit, or other authorization.
  • Property Authorization: Documentation applicant is authorized to conduct cannabis activity on the premises, including deed or title to property, or lease agreement indicating right to occupy premises and conduct applied-for commercial cannabis activity.
  • Property Site Plan: Diagram of the physical layout of the property and business premises.
  • Financial Information: A list of funds, loans, and investments of the applicant.
  • Financial Interests: A complete list of every individual who has a financial interest in the commercial cannabis business.
  • Sellers Permit: A valid seller’s permit number issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
  • Operating Procedures: Detailed description of the applicant’s transportation, inventory, quality control, security, cannabis waste disposal, and delivery procedures.

CALIFORNIA LICENSE TYPES:

Retailer:  Sells cannabis goods to customers at its premises or by delivery.  A retailer must have a physical location (premises) where commercial cannabis activities are conducted.

Retailer (non-storefront): Sells and delivers cannabis goods to customers.  A retailer (non-storefront) must have a licensed premise, but it is not open to the public.

Distributor:  Responsible for transporting cannabis goods, arranging for testing of cannabis goods, and conducting quality assurance review of cannabis goods to ensure they comply with all packaging and labeling requirements.

Distributor (transport):  Transports cannabis goods between licensed cultivators, manufacturers and distributors.  A licensee may not transport cannabis goods to a licensed retailer and may not engage in any other distributor activities.

Testing Laboratory:  A laboratory, facility, or entity in the state that offers or performs tests of cannabis goods.  Testing laboratories must obtain and maintain ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.  Testing laboratories may be issued a provisional license allowing them to operate while obtaining a ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, provided they meet all other licensure requirements.

Microbusiness:  Allows a licensee to engage in cultivation (on an area less than 10,000 square feet), manufacturing (Level 1 manufacturing, type 6), distribution, and retail sale, or any combination of the four activities.  Licensees are required to comply with all rules and regulations, which will include, where applicable, regulations adopted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Public Health, governing the activities they are engaged in.

Cultivation: California has established 14 different cultivation classifications based upon canopy size and whether the growing will be done outdoor, indoor, or with mixed-light.  Cultivation sites are currently limited to one acre of outdoor cultivation or 22,000 square feet of canopy for indoor and mixed-light growing operations.

Manufacturing: Cannabis companies producing or white labeling cannabis products must obtain a manufacturing license.  There are 5  manufacturing types , based upon whether a manufacturing is producing cannabis products using volatile and non-volatile solvents, edibles, topicals, or packaging and re-package cannabis products.  Manufacturing companies are allowed to share a facility of a licensed manufacturer by obtaining a share-use facility license.