Maryland Cannabis Cultivation Consultants
Approved Activities for a Maryland Cannabis Grower License
A standard grower license allows your business to operate more than 10,000 square feet, but no more than 300,000 square feet of indoor canopy, or its equivalent. For example, 1 square foot of indoor canopy is equal to 4 square feet of outdoor canopy.
A standard grower licensee is authorized to:
- cultivate and package cannabis,
- provide cannabis to other authorized licensees, as well as independent testing laboratories.
A micro grower licensee may operate up to 10,000 square feet of indoor canopy or its equivalent. At this time, the micro license is limited to social equity applicants.
Number of Available Maryland Cannabis Cultivation Licenses
For the next round, the MCA may issue up to 25 standard and 70 micro licenses.
Licenses are awarded within specified regions with an allotted number of licenses. You can only submit one application per license type, but you can apply for up to two license types per round. However, if you should be awarded both, the MCA will require you to choose only one.
Relevant Regulations for a Maryland Cannabis Grower License
Firstly, read H.B. 556 and S.B. 516. Both bills were cross-filed as the Cannabis Reform Act and published within Chapters 254 and 255 of the Maryland Code. Thirdly, review Title 36 Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis (§§ 36-201 — 36-1507).
Secondly, the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) regulates Maryland’s medical and adult-use cannabis industry. Our Maryland cannabis cultivation consultants suggest you examine MCA’s permanent regulations in full on COMAR online, as well as its rules specifically addressing marijuana grower licensing in Maryland.
Thirdly, familiarize yourself with MCA’s guidance regarding 2024 operational changes for licensed growers.
Now, let’s review the application requirements. The full application requires hours of work and careful document planning but contact our Maryland cannabis license consultants. We’ve done it before, and we can help you too!
Application Requirements for Maryland Marijuana Grower License
Firstly, state law requires the MCA to hold a Pass/Fail evaluation of the applications. To be entered into the lottery, your application must pass the following minimum qualifications:
- A detailed operational plan for the safe, secure, and effective cultivation of cannabis.
- A business plan demonstrates sufficient business ability and experience, the likelihood of your success, and satisfactory and appropriate employee working conditions.
- A detailed diversity plan.
Additionally, you must receive a passing score on all three plans above to enter the lottery.
Fees
The non-refundable application fees for new standard grower licenses are as follows:
- $5,000 – Standard grower license
- $1,000 – Micro grower license
The licensing fees (for initial licensure or renewal) for a grower are as follows:
- Standard grower license – $50,000
- Micro grower licenses – $10,000
Licensing is valid for five years, and the licensee may pay the renewal fee in annual installments.
How to Apply for a Cannabis Grower License in Maryland: Application Guide
Applying for a Maryland cannabis grower license involves a structured and detailed process. Below is a step-by-step guide from our Maryland cannabis consultants to help you navigate the application process effectively.
Step 1. Understand Eligibility Requirements
Before starting the application, ensure you understand the eligibility requirements for the type of Maryland cannabis cultivation license you are applying for, whether it’s an Open License or a Social Equity License.
Ensure your business structure, ownership, and location align with Maryland cannabis administration regulations.
Step 2. Prepare Required Documentation
Once you’ve determined your eligibility, you must prepare the following required documents:
- Operational Plan (Application Attachment A),
- Business Plan (Application Attachment B),
- Detailed Diversity Plan (Application Attachment C),
- Attestations, including operational agreements, and ownership forms,
- A complete and cleared social equity verification report from Creative Services, Inc. (if applicable), and more
Coupled with the requirement for these plans, you must ensure they comply with all the laws and regulations for Maryland marijuana grower licenses. If your plans fail to meet the requirements, the MCA will not enter your application into the lottery. You will need to wait for the next round.
Next, let’s look at the MCA-Provided Template requirements.
Step 3. Utilize MCA Templates for your Maryland Marijuana Grower License Application
In addition, MCA provides specific templates for various parts of the application. It’s essential to use their forms to ensure your submission meets the required format and content standards for online submission. Our Maryland cannabis cultivation consultants emphasize that you prepare by reviewing the MCA Application Evaluation which details evaluation metrics, and the criteria for either passing or failing.
Step 4. Online Submission for a Maryland Cannabis Grower License Application
Firstly, be sure to register for a OneStop account. You must submit your Maryland cannabis cultivation license application through the Maryland OneStop portal. The application process is entirely online through the portal. Log in to submit your application. Ensure that you’ve completed all fields and that you upload all documents and attachments in the specified format.
Step 5. Pay Application Fees
As part of your submission, MCA requires you to pay the non-refundable Maryland grower license application fee as follows:
- Standard grower license: $5,000
- Micro grower license: $1,000
Payment must be made online through the portal during the submission process.
Step 6. Review and Submit
Before submitting your application, carefully review all your documents to ensure accuracy and completeness. Once submitted, applications cannot be edited or withdrawn.
Step 7. Pass/Fail Review
After submission, the MCA will review your application on a pass/fail basis to determine if it meets the minimum requirements. As stated above, make sure that you have reviewed the MCA Application Evaluation before you submit your forms. It details the evaluation metrics and the criteria for either passing or failing.
Step 8. Lottery Selection
If you pass the initial review, the MCA will enter your application into the lottery system, composed of distinct lottery pools organized by geographic region, city, or county, and also based on population. The lottery system then randomly selects applicants from these pools for MCA to consider them for conditionally awarded licenses.
Step 9. Further Communication and Priority Actions
If the lottery selects your application, the MCA will investigate and verify all aspects of your application and may issue you further instructions for additional materials. You must provide these requirements within ten calendar days.
After you submit the requested information, MCA will conduct follow-up investigations. If all information is verified, they will issue a Conditional License. However, the Conditional License does not permit you to begin cultivating cannabis but instead initiates an 18-month clock to secure a final license.
Step 10. Supplemental Application and Awaiting Final Approval
During this Conditional License period, the MCA will require the licensee to complete a supplemental application, which includes:
- criminal history record check,
- financial background check,
- disclosures related to other business licenses, and
- authorizations for MCA to request information from other jurisdictions regarding your cannabis business license application(s).
Equally important, you will need to establish, identify, and demonstrate site control for your proposed business.
Closing Remarks from our Maryland Cannabis Cultivation Consultants
Securing a cannabis grower license in Maryland can be a complex process, but it offers a significant opportunity for businesses to enter its lucrative cannabis market. When you follow the outlined steps and ensure compliance with all requirements, you will position your business for success.
Our cannabis license application consultants have years of experience winning cannabis licenses in over 33 states and across the globe in 6 countries. Let’s discuss your marijuana business goals. We’ll customize the right business license strategy to win a grower license for your cultivation activities in Maryland. Contact our cannabis consulting firm to customize the right business strategy for your cannabis grower license in Maryland!
