- Understand regulatory and legal requirements. Do market research.
Research the laws and regulations governing adult-use or medical-use marijuana for more information about the regulatory requirements for licensure in the city or town you wish to operate.
Some municipalities, such as the City of Boston, require additional steps before submitting your application to the Commission. You may wish to speak with the municipality and inquire about the necessary requirements for operating a Marijuana Establishment within the area. View the status of municipal zoning and bylaws by city or town.
Massachusetts Cannabis Legalization
In 2008 Massachusetts voters decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis and in 2012 Massachusetts became the 18th state to legalize medical cannabis through a ballot. In November 2016, Massachusetts voters approved Question 4, the initiative to legalize the recreational use of cannabis and first retail cannabis business was opened in Massachusetts in November 2018.
In 2023, medical cannabis sales totaled about $225 million and cannabis stores sold over $1.5 billion. Research from multiple cannabis data and investment firms predict Massachusetts can become such a travel destination.
Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) Deadlines
| March 15, 2018 | CCC shall promulgate rules and regulations for the issuance of licenses. |
| April 1, 2018 | Accept applications for licenses. |
| April 1-15, 2018 | Review applications of operating medical establishments and businesses that demonstrate experience in or business practices that promote economic empowerment in communities disproportionately impacted, for grant or denial of license. |
| May 1, 2018 | Independent Testing Laboratory regulations and rules promulgated. Regulations for Nantucket and Duke counties promulgated. |
| June 1, 2018 | CCC received first applications including 51 the most completed to review. |
| November 20, 2018 | First Retail Marijuana Establishments opened in Massachusetts. |
- Decide the type of cannabis business. Choose a location. Check local zoning regulations.
Cannabis Licenses Types available in Massachusetts
“An MTC acquires, cultivates, possesses, processes, transports, sells, distributes, delivers, dispenses, or administers marijuana, products containing cannabis or marijuana, related supplies, or educational materials to registered qualifying patients or their personal caregivers for medical use. MTCs may deliver marijuana and marijuana products directly to patients and caregivers after receiving Commission approval.”
- Application fee: $3,500
- Initial/annual license fee: $50,000
“A Marijuana Cultivator may cultivate, process, and package marijuana, to transfer marijuana to other MEs, but not to consumers. Cultivators must select what tier they will be in by determining the total canopy they will cultivate.”
- Tier 1: Less than 5,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $1,450, OD fees – $725)
- Tier 2: 5,001 – 10,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $2,900, OD fees – $1,450)
- Tier 3: 10,001 – 20,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $5,600, OD fees – $2,800)
- Tier 4: 20,001 – 30,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $22,000, OD fees – $11,500)
- Tier 5: 30,001 – 40,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $24,500, OD fees – $12,750)
- Tier 6: 40,001 – 50,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $27,000, OD fees – $14,000)
- Tier 7: 50,001 – 60,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $32,000, OD fees – $16,500)
- Tier 8: 60,001 – 70,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $37,000, OD fees – $19,000)
- Tier 9: 70,001 – 80,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $42,000, OD fees – $21,500)
- Tier 10: 80,001 – 90,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $47,000, OD fees – $24,000)
- Tier 11: 90,001 – 100,000 sq. ft (ID fees – $52,000, OD fees – $26,500)
Starting at Tier 4, fees include an indoor application fee of $2,000 and an outdoor application fee of $1,500.
“A Craft Marijuana Cooperative is a type of Marijuana Cultivator which may cultivate, obtain, manufacture, process, package, and brand marijuana and marijuana products to transport marijuana to MEs, but not to consumers.”
- Application fee: Total fees for its canopy. If more than six locations, add $200 (I)/$100(O) per additional location.
- Annual license fee: Total fees for its canopy. If more than six locations, add $1,250(I)/$625(O) per additional location.
“A Marijuana Product Manufacturer is an entity authorized to obtain, manufacture, process, and package marijuana and marijuana products, to transport marijuana and marijuana products to MEs, and to transfer marijuana and marijuana products to other MEs, but not to consumers.”
- Application fee: $1,500
- Annual license fee: $10,000
“A Marijuana Retailer is an entity authorized to purchase, repackage, white label, and transport marijuana or marijuana products from MEs, and to sell, repackage or otherwise transfer marijuana and marijuana products to other MEs and to sell to consumers.”
- Application fee: $1,500
- Annual license fee: $10,000
“An ME that is otherwise licensed by the Commission and also licensed to purchase, obtain, and possess Marijuana or Marijuana Products solely for the purpose of transporting, temporary storage, sale and distribution on behalf of other MEs or MTCs to other establishments, but not to consumers.”
- Application fee: $1,000
- Annual license fee: $5,000
“A Marijuana Transporter is an entity that may only transport marijuana or marijuana products and does not hold another ME license and is not licensed as an MTC. A Third-party Transporter is permitted to transport marijuana and marijuana products between MEs and between MTCs.”
- Application fee: $1,500
- Annual license fee: $5,000
“A Marijuana Research Facility licensee or Research Licensee is an academic institution, non-profit corporation, domestic corporation, or entity authorized to do business in Massachusetts. A Marijuana Research Facility may cultivate, purchase, or otherwise acquire marijuana for the purpose of conducting research regarding marijuana and marijuana products if the licensee possesses such a license to do so or is allowed to do so through an approved Research Permit if the cultivation or product manufacturing process is the subject of its research.”
- Application fee: $300
- Annual license fee: $1,000
“An Independent Testing Laboratory (ITL) is an entity that does not hold any other type of ME/MTC license and is properly accredited to perform tests in compliance with the stringent requirements of the Commission’s protocols for testing marijuana and marijuana products. Licensed ITLs may test marijuana and marijuana products in the adult- and medical- use markets.”
- Application fee: $1,500
- Annual license fee: $10,000
“A Standards Testing Laboratory is an entity that would otherwise qualify to be an Independent Testing Laboratory, but instead performs blind tests to verify the results of an Independent Testing Laboratory at the request of the Commission.”
- Application fee: $1,500
- Annual license fee: $10,000
“A Microbusiness is a collocated Tier 1 Marijuana Cultivator, and/or Marijuana Product Manufacturer limited to purchase 2,000 pounds of marijuana from other MEs in one (1) year.”
- Application fee: $1,000
- Annual license fee: 50% of all applicable fees
“A Marijuana Courier licensee may deliver marijuana or marijuana products directly to consumers or patients at a residential address from a Marijuana Retailer or Medical Marijuana Treatment Center with which the Marijuana Courier has a delivery agreement.”
- Application fee: $1,500
- Annual license fee: $5,000
“A Marijuana Delivery Operator may purchase at wholesale and warehouse finished marijuana or marijuana products acquired from a Marijuana Cultivator, Marijuana Product Manufacturer, Microbusiness or Craft Marijuana Cooperative, and sell and deliver directly to consumers.”
- Application fee: $1,500
- Annual license fee: $10,000
“Social Consumption Establishment means an entity licensed to sell marijuana or marijuana products and allow consumers to consume marijuana or marijuana products solely on its premises.”
- Application fee: $1,500
- Annual license fee: $10,000
Delivery Endorsement
- Application fee: $300
- Annual license fee: $1,000
Cannabis Delivery in Massachusetts
In 2020, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control developed a delivery program. There are two licensing options available: cannabis courier and delivery operator.
Delivery operators are allowed to purchase cannabis and cannabis products from licensed cultivators and manufacturers and sell and deliver to consumers. Cannabis delivery operators may securely store on its premises cannabis and cannabis products that have been purchased at wholesale for eventual resale to consumers.
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.
- Develop a solid cannabis business plan. Secure financing.
Begin researching and writing the operational plans for your business – you’ll need these plans later when you submit your application to the Commission. All plans