Cannabis couriers – licensed third-party transporters distinct from retailer-operated delivery services – may transport cannabis products from licensed retailers to consumers and patients, subject to the following operational requirements:

• No Overnight Storage: All undelivered products must be returned to the originating retailer by the close of business.
• Digital Manifests and Real-Time Tracking: Vehicles must maintain digital manifests and active GPS tracking to link every item in transit to a pre-verified, customer-specific order.
• Vehicle Value Limits: Jurisdictions commonly cap the total retail value of product per vehicle (e.g., $10,000 in Massachusetts).

Currently, licensed cannabis courier services are permitted in 13 U.S. jurisdictions: Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Utah, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Licensing frameworks, permitted activities, and regulatory specifics vary by jurisdiction.

States with Specific Cannabis “Courier-Only” Licenses

Massachusetts

In 2020, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control developed a delivery program. Cannabis Couriers are allowed to deliver cannabis and cannabis products to consumers and patients from a Cannabis Retail Establishment or Medical Cannabis Treatment Center. Cannabis Couriers cannot store cannabis and cannabis products overnight. As of January 2026, this license is still under an exclusivity period for social equity applicants, which was recently proposed for extension.

Maryland

Following the transition to adult-use, Maryland introduced a Courier License distinct from its micro-dispensary (delivery-only retailer) license. These couriers contract with dispensaries to provide delivery services to recreational consumers and medical patients.

Minnesota

Cannabis delivery is regulated by the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 342. A standalone Cannabis Delivery Service license acts as a third-party courier, allowing the business to deliver products from licensed retailers to consumers and medical patients. These couriers are restricted from overnight storage and must return any undelivered products to the retailer on the same day. All deliveries require a two-person crew and must be pre-paid through the retailer.

New Jersey

Third-party Delivery Licensees are authorized to transport a consumer’s purchase from a retailer to that consumer. They are strictly delivery-only and do not sell the product themselves.

New Mexico

The Cannabis Courier license allows for the delivery of products from a retail licensee to a consumer or patient. Critically, New Mexico couriers are prohibited from requesting or receiving payment for the cannabis itself; they may only collect a delivery fee.

Connecticut

A Delivery Service licensee is authorized to deliver cannabis from a retailer, hybrid retailer, or micro-cultivator to a consumer. They are explicitly not licensed to sell cannabis directly.

States with “Third-Party” or Transporter Models

Colorado

In 2019 Colorado legislators passed HB19-1234, effectively regulating cannabis delivery in the state. Delivery of both medical and recreational cannabis is allowed through a third-party fulfillment contractor. Delivery of medical cannabis began in 2020 and recreational cannabis in January 2021.

District of Columbia (DC)

The Courier License is now a standalone category as of late 2025/early 2026. These licensees deliver medical and adult-use products on behalf of retailers and cannot hold other license types, such as cultivation or retail. Deliveries are required to be made to residential and commercial building addresses located in the District that are not on District government or Federal property or on public or private school grounds, with the exception of deliveries to individuals at colleges and universities who are 21 years of age or older.

Missouri

Cannabis delivery is available for both adult-use consumers and medical cardholders. While dispensaries may use their own employees, Missouri law explicitly allows licensed Transportation Facilities to act as third-party couriers. These transporters contract with dispensaries to deliver products to consumers, patients, and caregivers. They are restricted from selling cannabis directly and are generally required to complete deliveries within 36 hours of receiving the product from a retailer.

Montana

The transporter license allows a business to transport marijuana and marijuana products between licensed marijuana business registered premises, including testing laboratories, or to medical registered cardholders. Transporters may not deliver to adult-use consumers.

Nevada

Authorized third-party delivery licensees can transport products from a retail store to adult-use consumers or medical patients.

The U.S. Virgin Islands

The OCR may authorize Third-Party Vendors to transport and Deliver Cannabis Items and authorize Licensees to transport Cannabis Items cultivated, manufactured, processed, stored, and packaged in association with their business operations and at their Licensed Premises pursuant to the requirements of this section. Cannabis Items may only be transported by Transporters between Licensed Premises, between a Licensed Premises and a Testing Facility, and between a Dispensary Licensee and a Qualified Patient or a Qualified Patient’s Designated Caregiver.

Utah

Utah adopted a model that allows courier services to be involved so that patients all over Utah can order their product and have it sent.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Cannabis Courier Business Plan Sample (New Jersey)

Cannabis delivery is also available in 18 states from licensed storefront retailers and in 4 states from non-storefront retailers. Check for more details:

Cannabis Delivery Business by State

Cannabis Non-Storefront Business by State

16 states and Puerto Rico have a stand-alone cannabis transporter license for B2B delivery:

Cannabis Transporter License by State

Hemp/CBD Products Online Store / Delivery business plan templates are available at hempcbdbusinessplans.com.