2022 Connecticut Cannabis Business Licenses

Applications for some adult-use cannabis licenses opened in Connecticut on February 3^, 2022. The applications currently available for new entrants include lottery applications for adult-use cannabis retailers and non-lottery applications for Cultivators located in a Disproportionately Impacted Area.

For existing licensees, the available applications include:

• Equity Joint Ventures
• Non-lottery applications for conversion from Medical Marijuana Producer to Expanded Producer
• non-lottery applications for conversion from Medical Marijuana Dispensary to Hybrid Retailer

All lottery application periods and the application period for DIA Cultivators will be open for three months.

Requirements to apply to enter the lottery are relatively minimal. These requirements involve:

• The backer’s contact information
• Entity Structure Documents: operating agreements, articles, etc.
• An organizational chart with an ownership percentage breakdown

The remaining 90-day lottery application periods will open on the following schedule:

• Micro-cultivator: February 10, 2022
• Delivery Service: February 17, 2022
• Hybrid Retailer: February 24, 2022
• Food and Beverage: March 3, 2022
• Product Manufacturer: March 10, 2022
• Product Packager: March 17, 2022
• Transporter: March 24, 2022

An equal number of licenses will be available to social equity and general applicants. The number of licenses available in each category in the first application round is as follows:

• Retailer: 6 general licenses, 6 Social Equity Licenses
• Micro-cultivator: 2 general licenses, 2 Social Equity Licenses
• Delivery Service: 5 general licenses, 5 Social Equity Licenses
• Hybrid Retailer: 2 general licenses, 2 Social Equity Licenses
• Food and Beverage: 5 general licenses, 5 Social Equity Licenses
• Product Manufacturer: 3 general licenses, 3 Social Equity Licenses
• Product Packager: 3 general licenses, 3 Social Equity Licenses
• Transporter: 2 general licenses, 2 Social Equity Licenses

Those interested in applying for multiple licenses and license types will be able to do so. However, a license cannot be awarded to any applicant selected through the lottery with two or more licenses of the same type or in the same category. Furthermore, a license cannot be awarded to any applicant that includes a backer with managerial control of two or more licensees of the same type or category or is a backer of two or more licensees of the same kind or license category.

For example, dispensary facility, retailer, and hybrid retailer licenses are within the same license category. Producer, cultivator, and micro-cultivator licenses are within the same license category.

Individuals identified as backers will also need to complete a backer application to guarantee they are considered as part of the application.

A “Backer” is any individual or entity that has a direct or indirect financial interest in a Cannabis Establishment, and (1) owns 5% or more together with their spouse, parents, or child, OR (2) participates directly or indirectly in the control, management, or operation of the Cannabis Establishment. 

The application does not require residency requirements for general applicants, real estate does not need to be identified, nor does proof of funds. A second lottery application period for most license types is expected to open in the second half of 2022. Adult-use cannabis retail sales are estimated to start by the end of 2022.

Still overwhelmed? Our Team has won licenses for clients all over the globe. 

If you are interested in applying for a cannabis business license in Connecticut or need help opening your cannabis facility, contact us by phone at (602)-290-9424 or email (info@thecannabisbusinessadvisors.com) for more information.