Massachusetts Knowledge Center:
Created to provide helpful information about the Massachusetts Cannabis Industry.
Cannabis License Info:
- Should the state begin accepting more applications for cultivation, manufacturing, retail dispensaries or lab testers, the state will publish a Notice of Application Opportunity (Notice) which will detail the requirements to the applicant for submission.
- Medical Marijuana Licensees: Existing medical marijuana licensees will receive priority licensing, which ends in 2018.
- Local Control: Localities are allowed to regulate time, place and manner no more restrictively than medical marijuana regulations. Local governments can limit establishment numbers, however, any bans or limits below 20% are required to be approved by voters.
There are 4 license types offered in Massachusetts:
- Cultivator
- Manufacturer (Processor)
- Retail (Dispensary)
- Tester (Laboratory)
Are there costs associated with cannabis licenses?
- $3,000, non-refundable application fee.
- Applicants must meet standards required for an alcohol license, except that a marijuana-related conviction will not restrict licensure.
- The state’s program is operated by the Cannabis Control Commission, which is allowed to institute an absolute cap on statewide marijuana cultivation.
- Manufacturer licenses will not exceed 75 until October 2018 and a max of 75 cultivators until October 2019.
- Delivery services remain illegal at this time.
- Licensed marijuana businesses must be a minimum of 500 ft. from any school.
Information will be updated here as it becomes available. Check back for updates!
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Current Estimated Patient Counts: TBD
Qualified patients can purchase medical marijuana from a Registered Marijuana Dispensary (RMD). For a full list of RMD’s, click here.
How can I obtain a Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Card?
To obtain a medical marijuana registration card, a patient must submit the following:
- Full name, DOB, address, phone number, email address (if applicable), and a statement verifying the patient’s age and residence in Massachusetts.
- Written authorization from a certified physician
- A statement detailing whether or not the patient will apply for a hardship cultivation registration (permission to grow marijuana in your residence)
- Driver’s License or Government Issued Identification
- Non-refundable registration fee
- Written acknowledgment of the patient’s limitations as it relates to cultivation, possession, and use of medical marijuana
- Attestation that the qualified patient will not engage in diversion of medical marijuana
Registration cards are valid for one year from the date of issue and may be renewed via a form and manner determined by the Department of Health.
How can a Minor obtain Medical Marijuana Registration?
All of the same rules and requirements apply for qualified patients under the age of 18, with these additional rules:
- If the patient is under the age of a8, a parent or legal guardian must provide a written permission granting the child authorization.
- Patients under the age of 18 MUST have a designated personal caregiver, which is required to be the minor patient’s parent or legal guardian.
How can I become a Personal Caregiver in Massachusetts?
In order to obtain a personal caregiver registration card, a qualifying patient must submit an application in a manner determined by the Department of Health. Required info will include:
- Full name, DOB, address, phone number, email address (if applicable) and statement verifying the individual is over 21 years of age
- All of the same info above as it relates to the qualified patient
- Copy of the personal caregiver’s driver’s license or government-issued identification
- Statement detailing whether the caregiver will be cultivating medical marijuana for the patient
- Written acknowledgment of the patient’s limitations as it relates to cultivation, possession, and use of medical marijuana
- Attestation that the qualified patient will not engage in diversion of medical marijuana
An individual is required to be granted a personal caregiver registration card from the Department of Health prior to serving as the personal caregiver for any qualified patient. Personal caregivers must carry their registration card at any time they’re in possession of medical marijuana.
Detailed rules and regulations can be found here.
Qualified patients and personal caregivers can apply here.
Massachusetts Dispensary Licenses
In Massachusetts, Dispensaries are more commonly referred to as Retail Cannabis Stores or Registered Marijuana Dispensaries (RMD).
Retail cannabis store licenses have an additional $15,000 fee on top of the initial application fees.
What kind of point-of-sale do I need to operate a Dispensary?
Most states require dispensaries to track and trace all of their cannabis-related products for regulatory and compliance reporting requirements. Our Dispensary Point of Sale and inventory management system provides comprehensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking with a focus on compliant data points. If your state requires seed-to-sale systems to stay compliant, BioTrackTHC has you covered. Our system is customized to meet the unique regulatory frameworks in each and every state.
You can find detailed rules and regulations here.
Massachusetts Cultivation Licenses
Cannabis Cultivator licenses include an additional $15,000 fee on top of the initial application fees.
What kind of tracking system do I need to operate a Cultivation Facility?
Most states require an extensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system to monitor cultivation efforts and inventory. Our cultivation seed-to-sale-tracking solution provides comprehensive data tracking with an emphasis on compliance. Customized to meet the unique regulatory frameworks in each state, BioTrackTHC also features an all-in-one business tool to help you operate every aspect of the cultivation business by itself, or as part of the vertically-integrated cannabis business.
Detailed rules and regulations can be found here.
Massachusetts Cannabis Processor Licenses
In Massachusetts, Cannabis Processors are commonly referred to as Cannabis Product Manufacturers.
Cannabis Product Manufacturer licenses include an additional $15,000 fee on top of the initial application fee.
What kind of tracking system do I need to operate a Processing or Manufacturing Facility?
Most states require an extensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system to monitor processing and manufacturing efforts, which is especially important in this part of the supply chain due to conversions into multiple byproducts and higher amounts of waste. Our processing seed-to-sale-tracking solution provides comprehensive conversion tracking focused on compliant data points. Customized to meet the unique regulatory frameworks in each state, BioTrackTHC also features an all-in-one business tool to help you operate every aspect of the cultivation business by itself, or as part of the vertically-integrated cannabis business.
Detailed rules and regulations can be found here.
Massachusetts Laboratory Licenses
In Massachusetts, Laboratories are commonly referred to as Cannabis Testing Facilities.
Cannabis Testing Facilities include an additional $10,000 fee on top of the initial application fees.
Detailed rules and regulations can be found here.
Massachusetts Seed-to-Sale Traceability Info:
- Massachusetts Recreational Marijuana Program is operated by the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). When applying for a cannabis business license in the state, the CCC will share the application with the city or town in which the establishment hopes to be located. Assuming the application meets all of the requirements and the location qualifies, applicants will be issued a license or a formal rejection, along with an explanation, within 90 days of the application submission date.
- The Cannabis Control Commission is a three-member body under the current law, appointed by and under the oversight of the state treasurer. There is discussion of adding two more members to the CCC.
- The Massachusetts Department of Health remains responsible for the state’s medical marijuana program, which includes the application and approval process for qualified medical marijuana patients and their personal caregivers.
- Licensed marijuana businesses are required to have an active seed-to-sale tracking system to provide key data points to regulatory bodies.
For the latest cannabis-related legislative updates on Massachusetts, check out our Cannabis Bill Tracker!
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