How can I apply for a cannabis establishment license?
To log-in to the license application portal and apply for an adult-use license, please see the website below:
http://vermont.force.com/vccb/s/
What are the requirements for an adult-use license?
The license requirements vary by license type. All requirements for an adult-use cannabis establishment operating license may be found in Board Rule 1, posted on our website:
https://ccb.vermont.gov/laws-rules-and-regulations
My license was just approved by the Board! When can I start operating?
After a license is approved by the Board during one of its scheduled public meetings, the newly approved licensee will get a message from the CCB licensing staff alerting them that their application has been approved. This approval notification is not a license to operate.
The Board will not issue a license to an approved applicant until:
- any and all contingencies identified in the approval letter have been met;
- the applicant has paid their licensing fees;
- if the business is located in a town with a local control commission (LLC), that LLC has approved of the application.
Once these criteria have been met, the CCB will issue the license, the licensee will receive their newly issued license, and they may begin operations.
What are the license types and tiers? What will they cost?
There are six license types – cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, testing laboratories, and integrated licenses. Of these, cultivators and manufacturer licenses are broken down into tiers based on the size of the establishment and the allowable activities.
Only retail and the retail portion of an integrated license may sell cannabis and cannabis products to the general public.
More information on licenses, along with how much it costs to apply and be licensed by the Board, can be found in the Licensing & Application Fees document and in the Allowable License Activities Guidance found on our Guidance page:
https://ccb.vermont.gov/guidance
Some licensing tiers refer to canopy size, but what is the definition of plant canopy?
The Vermont legislature has defined plant canopy in statute. The statute provides that: “’Plant canopy’ means the square footage dedicated to live plant production and does not include areas such as office space or areas used for the storage of fertilizers, pesticides, or other products.” 7 V.S.A. § 861(24).
How do I register as a nursery or propagation cultivator?
Recently the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued a statement classifying all types of cannabis with a Delta-9 THC content of less than 0.3% as “hemp” federally. All cannabis seeds and clones are likely to meet this definition.
In Vermont, all individuals growing or producing more than two mature cannabis plants or four immature cannabis plants are required to have a cannabis establishment license or register with the USDA, depending on the THC content of their plants.
For plants that meet the above definition of hemp, growers are required to have a license issued under the U. S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. Information on USDA’s program, can be found on their website:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/hemp
Growers who wish to cultivate all other forms of cannabis must get a license with the Cannabis Control Board. The appropriate license for your business will depend on the details of your business model, and you should consult with your legal counsel to determine the best course of action.
The CCB began accepting applications for propagation cultivators in July 2024. For more information on that new license type, refer to the Propagation Cultivator Policy.
Does the law require cannabis establishments to buy and sell cannabis and cannabis products through wholesalers?
The law does not require cannabis or cannabis product to be sold through wholesalers. The law established a wholesaler license for those who may choose to operate a wholesaling business.
Can a licensee hold more than one license?
Yes. Except for the Integrated Licenses, licensees may hold more than one license. This is referred to as "stacking" or "vertically integrating" licenses. However, they may not hold more than one of any type of license
Example: One licensee may hold one retailer license, one cultivator license, one manufacturer license, and one wholesaler license. However, one licensee may not hold two retailer licenses or two manufacturing licenses.
For cultivators - indoor, outdoor, and mixed cultivator licenses are all considered one "type" of license. A cultivator may not hold both an indoor and an outdoor cultivation license.
Does one license allow the licensee to operate multiple locations?
No. There can only be one location per license.
Example: A retail licensee cannot open multiple retail locations within the State.
Can "stacked" or "vertically integrated" licenses operate at the same location?
The proposed rules allow for "stacked" or 'vertically integrated" licenses to operate in the same location, as long as the operation for each license meets all of the requirements for each individual license held. The licensee must abide by all of the operational rules for each license and must meet all of the local zoning bylaws and local ordinances for that location. A "stacked" or "vertically integrated" licensee may not operate a retail license portion of a license in town that has not opted-in to host retail cannabis establishments.
Can multiple licensees operate at the same location?
Except for retail licenses, yes. The rules allow multiple non-retail licenses to operate at the same location. However, specific operational requirements regarding co-location are included in Board Rule 2.2.18.
Can cannabis establishments deliver, or is there a stand-alone delivery license?
No. Vermont law currently prohibits delivery in the adult-use cannabis market. Thus, there is no stand-along delivery license available, and delivery to consumers is not allowed by a licensee.
Can customers order cannabis online?
Yes. Customers can order cannabis and cannabis products online, but they must go to a licensed retail establishment to pick up their order in person, as cannabis delivery is not currently allowed.
What is prequalification?
All businesses seeking a new cannabis license in Vermont must be pre-qualified by the Cannabis Control Board before completing a full application. Prequalification provides preliminary State approval of your business. Prequalification will assist applicants in securing financing for your business as well as help you evaluate the viability of your business plan.
More information on prequalification may be found on our Adult Use Forms & Resources page:
Adult Use Forms & Resources | Cannabis Control Board (vermont.gov)
How do I obtain a background check for my cannabis license?
Guidance for obtaining your background check for full licensure is available in the Background Check Guidance document on our guidance webpage:
Guidance Documents | Cannabis Control Board (vermont.gov)
Are there any convictions that would disqualify me from obtaining my cannabis establishment license or employee ID card?
Having a criminal record does not necessarily exclude someone from receiving a license. However, certain criminal offenses may limit the Board’s ability to grant a license or require the applicant to provide more information about the offense’s circumstances as a part of the review process. These offenses may be found in Board Rule 1.11.2. They are:
- A listed crime as defined in subsection 13 V.S.A. § 5301(7) or the equivalent in another jurisdiction.
- A conviction for an offense in relating to the sexual exploitation of children (13 V.S.A. chapter 64) or the equivalent in another jurisdiction.
- State or federal felony offense involving fraud, deceit, or embezzlement.
- Convictions that demonstrate an ongoing involvement with organized criminal enterprises, including violent gangs and drug cartels.
- Trafficking of a regulated substance other than cannabis. For the purposes of the Board, this means the trafficking of cocaine, fentanyl, or methamphetamines, or the possession, selling, or trafficking of heroin (18 V.S.A. §§ 4231(c), 4233(c), 4233a(b), 4234a(c)), or a non-violent drug distribution offense in another jurisdiction that carries a maximum penalty of 30 years of incarceration or greater.
- Dispensing cannabis to a person under 21 years of age in violation of 18 V.S.A. § 4230f, or the equivalent offense in another jurisdiction.
- Misdemeanor convictions that occurred within the 2 years preceding the application; except for non-violent offenses.
- Felony convictions that occurred within the 5 years preceding the application, except for non-violent offenses
How do I demonstrate tax compliance and compliance with fire safety regulations for the purposes of my cannabis license?
Fire Safety:
All cannabis establishment applicants must contact the Division of Fire Safety as a part of their application for a license. Applicants will need one of two documents:
- A letter stating that their proposed cannabis establishment is not in a public building (a non-jurisdictional letter), or
- A certificate of occupancy or conditional use letter from the Department of Fire Safety
Both of these letters are obtained by contacting the Division of Fire Safety. Applicants should contact Landon Wheeler, Assistant State Fire Marshal, with the Department of Public Safety's Fire Safety Division.
Email Address: Landon.Wheeler@vermont.gov
Phone Number: 802-639-0949
Department of Taxes:
As a part of the application for a license, applicants must request a certificate of good standing from the Department of Taxes by sending an email with the following information to Tax.ComplianceSupport@vermont.gov:
- Your business name
- ID (SSN or FEIN)
- Include "Good standing request for Cannabis license” in the subject line.
Are cooperative ventures permitted by the Board’s rules?
There is nothing in the Board’s rules that prohibit people who are licensed by the Board from forming cooperative ventures, consistent with any applicable laws.
Is a greenhouse considered indoor or outdoor cultivation?
The designation of a greenhouse as indoor or outdoor cultivation depends on the features of the greenhouse itself.
A greenhouse is considered outdoor cultivation if:
- It is in use for fewer than 180 days in a calendar year, and
- It does not utilize artificial lighting
A greenhouse is considered indoor cultivation if:
- It is in use for 180 days or more in a calendar year and
- It uses an HVAC system for thermal regulation or if it uses artificial lighting
A temporary greenhouse structure in use for fewer than 180 days may use vent fans for air circulation and still be considered outdoor cultivation.
What is a social equity applicant? What about an economic empowerment applicant?
Social equity:
Social equity applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- They are Black or Hispanic, or
- They are from a community that has historically been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition and are able to demonstrate to the Board that they were personally harmed by that impact.
- They have been incarcerated for a cannabis related offense or have a family member that has been incarcerated for a cannabis related offense
No previous Vermont residency is required, but applicant must currently reside in Vermont.
More information on the Board’s decision to define social equity applicants in this way may be found in this recording from the CCB’s January 31, 2022 meeting. The discussion begins at roughly hour 2:07 of the recording.
Further information on the Board’s social equity program, and how to apply, may be found in guidance:
https://ccb.vermont.gov/guidance
Economic Empowerment:
Applicants who do not meet the criteria for the Board’s social equity program, but still come from historically disadvantaged communities may be considered economic empowerment applicants. The Board will prioritize reviewing license applications from economic empowerment applicants over non-social equity and non-economic empowerment applicants.
Economic empowerment applicant businesses must be at least 51% owned by a member of a historically disadvantaged community. Those communities include: women, veterans, First Nation/Indigenous/Native Americans, Asian American / Pacific Islanders, and other communities of color not explicitly named in the social equity program.
By statute, only Social Equity applicants have access to technical assistance and grant funding through the Cannabis Business Development Fund.