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Learn About Michigan’s New Regulations  MI Cannabis Licensing

Types of Michigan Cannabis Licenses for both the medical marijuana program and recreational marijuana program

Grower License

This license allows selling marijuana to licensed dispensaries and licensed processors. For this type of license, there are three classes:

  • A is a Grower license for 500 marijuana plants
  • B is a Grower license for 1,000 marijuana plants
  • C for 1,500 marijuana plants

Processor

The license includes selling to other licensed processors and dispensaries, processing marijuana and selling it to licensed medical marijuana users.

Retailer

With marijuana dispensary license, you can sell medical marijuana and other marijuana products, including plants and seedlings. Retail stores can’t allow consumption of marijuana unless they have a specific license

Secure Transporter License

Authorizes storage and transportation of marijuana and associated money between facilities.

Provisioning Center

License authorizes the sale of marijuana to a registered qualifying patient or registered primary caregiver.

Safety compliance facility

Authorizes the facility to receive marijuana from, test marijuana for, and return marijuana to only a marijuana facility or registered primary caregiver.

Michigan Hemp Commercial/Micro Growers License Application Process

Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is the agency in charge of issuing licenses to cannabis operators. They are using a two step program for cannabis licenses applications in Michigan.

Step 1: Pre Qualifications:

  • Allows applicants to begin the application process while still seeking a location for the proposed marijuana facility
  • It starts by filing an Entity/Individual Pre-qualification Packet. This packet must include a passport type photo, a copy of your government-issued ID, and all other supporting documentation
  • It encompasses a full background investigation of the applicant and all supplemental applicants
  • You’ll have to pay a non refundable fee of $6000 at the time of filing to defray the costs associated with the background investigations and fingerprint processing. The application fee must be paid before the application can be processed.

Once completed the Packet and collected all required documentation, submit your pre-qualification packet either in person, by mail, or through LARA’s online application portal.

Step 2: License Application

Where the applicant will identify the specific facility for which they are applying (grower, processor, provisioning center, safety compliance facility, or secure transporter) in the Facility License Application (FLA), and provide information and supporting documentation specific to the license sought. If applying for more than one facility license, a separate FLA will need to be completed.

  • You’ll be required to provide the same information you submitted during the pre-qualification phase, with information regarding the municipality in which you’ll operate
  • Business specifications may include: An estimated open date for your dispensary; Proof of premises ownership or a lease agreement; Estimated gross annual income; A marijuana facility plan; A cannabis retail marketing plan; A cannabis product inventory and recordkeeping plan.

Number of licenses allowed for the Cannabis industry in Michigan

The good thing about applying for a cannabis license in Michigan is that, contrary to many other states in the United States, it does not have a statewide limit for the number of licenses approved neither for medical marijuana businesses nor for adult-use businesses..

The not so good thing about cannabis licenses regulations in Michigan is that local municipalities can choose to ban or limit the number of businesses.

Currently there are around 500 MMJ licenses and 170 recreational cannabis licenses granted in Michigan, but this industry is only getting stronger so we can expect to have a higher number by 2021.

How much does a cannabis License in Michigan cost?

Of course it’ll depend on what type of cannabis license you want to get for your operation. License fees in Michigan could go from $4,000 (the grower class A license), up to $40,000. And they will need to be renewed annually, which includes a fee of similar amount.

What are the requirements to be able to acquire a Cannabis License in Michigan?

The Board had previously set, when the law first passed in 2019, as requirements for dispensary owners the following criteria:

  • No felony within 10 years
  • No misdemeanors involving controlled substances within five years
  • No local ordinance violations within five years
  • Must be 21 years old
  • Any past issue with law enforcement or legal violations, not including traffic violations

However, they are currently amending the requirements set in their webpage, which could potentially mean that the are making some changes on the applicability of those wanting to get a Cannabis license in Michigan.

Either way, you should get in touch with an cannabis license lawyer that could assist you into presenting a perfect application

Taxes in Michigan for Cannabis

The state tax requirements in medical marijuana in Michigan is 6% sales and use tax. For recreational cannabis is 10% excise tax plus 6% sales tax.

Can I Sell My Cannabis License in Michigan?

Each license is exclusive to the license type issued and to the licensee. The attempted transfer, sale or other conveyance of an interest without Agency approval is grounds for suspension, revocation or other appropriate sanction

FAQ on Cannabis Licenses in Michigan

What is a Class A Grower?

A Class A Grower is a type of license available in Michigan for growing up to 500 marijuana plants. It costs $10.000 in licenses fees, plus the application fees that are an additional $6.000

How much do growers make in Michigan?

The average Medical Marijuana Grower salary in Michigan is between $43,530 and $64,077.

Can a Caregiver sell to a Dispensary in Michigan?

Not anymore. In March 2020 the Marijuana Regulatory Agency announced a phase out process to end external transfers to the regulated market, which included products grown and processed by caregivers. The process was set to complete by September 2020.

How much is a Dispensary License in Michigan?

A marijuana dispensary license in Michigan cost around $44.000, plus additional application fees and the annual renewal.

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