Starting a legal cannabis business in California takes time, effort, organization and planning. To help, we created resources to help you apply for a license and technical guides for the licensing systems.
The documents on this page were created prior to the creation of the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). Some of them still have logos or contact information for the three former state cannabis programs. We intend to update them with DCC information. You can still use them as resources until we do.
Resources for all applicants
Applying for a license
Forms
These forms are optional. They may help you submit required information.
- Landowner approval form
- Labor peace agreement notarized statement – if you have not yet entered into a labor peace agreement
Notifications and requests
Use the notification and request form (Form DCC-LIC-027) to update your license or request a change. Use Form DCC-LIC-029 if you are a testing laboratory.
Use the notification and request form for regulatory compliance (DCC-LIC-028) for other changes.
Additional resources by license type
Cultivation licenses
Applying for a license
- Guide to the application attachments
- How to create a cultivation plan
- How to fill out the cultivation license
Forms
Include these forms with your license application:
DCC may also request these forms, if needed during application review:
- Transportation procedures (DCC-LIC-015)
- Inventory procedures (DCC-LIC-016)
- Non-laboratory quality control procedures (DCC-LIC-017)
- Security procedures (DCC-LIC-018)
After you submit your application
- How to fix application deficiencies
- How to add attachments to your application submission
- How to print your license certificate
Changing or updating your license
- How to submit a science amendment
- How to submit an administrative amendment
- Add or remove an owner from your license
Renewing your license
Converting to a Large or Medium License Type
- Guidance document
- Checklist to help you prepare your required information and documents
- Licensing System guidance document
- Instructional video on how to apply online
Using the online licensing system
Manufacturing licenses
Forms
Include this form with your license application:
DCC may also request these forms, if needed during application review:
- Transportation procedures (DCC-LIC-015)
- Inventory procedures (DCC-LIC-016)
- Non-laboratory quality control procedures (DCC-LIC-017)
- Security procedures (DCC-LIC-018)
After you submit your application
Renewing your license
- Guide to license renewals
- Statement of gross annual revenue
- This form reports the amount of money your company received in the 12 months before your renewal.
Using the online licensing system
- Do not use your browser’s back button.
- When signing your name, select Accept below the signature block before selecting Next.
- You can only upload files 50 MB or smaller.
Distributor and retailer licenses
Forms
DCC may request these forms, if needed during application review:
- Transportation procedures (DCC-LIC-015)
- Inventory procedures (DCC-LIC-016)
- Non-laboratory quality control procedures (DCC-LIC-017)
- Security procedures (DCC-LIC-018)
- Delivery procedures (DCC-LIC-020)
Using the online licensing system
- Overview of the licensing system (video version)
- How to navigate the licensing system (video version)
- How to register and manage your account (video version)
- How to complete the online application (video version)
- How to pay your fees (video version)
Testing laboratory licenses
Forms
Include these forms with your license application:
- Sampling SOPs (DCC-LIC-021)
- Sample preparation SOPs (DCC-LIC-022)
- Test methods SOPs (DCC-LIC-023)
After you receive a license
Use the data package cover page and checklist form (Form DCC-LIC-024) to submit test results.
Use the notification and request form for testing laboratories (Form DCC-LIC-029) to update your license or request a change.
Using the online licensing system
- Overview of the licensing system (video version)
- How to navigate the licensing system (video version)
- How to register and manage your account (video version)
- How to complete the online application (video version)
- How to pay your fees (video version)
Microbusiness licenses
Forms
Submit the forms required for each license activity you are applying for.
Using the online licensing system
- Overview of the licensing system (video version)
- How to navigate the licensing system (video version)
- How to register and manage your account (video version)
- How to complete the online application (video version)
- How to pay your fees (video version)
Event licenses
Temporary cannabis event
Include these forms with your license application:
Using the online licensing system
- Overview of the licensing system (video version)
- How to navigate the licensing system (video version)
- How to register and manage your account (video version)
- How to complete the online application (video version)
- How to pay your fees (video version)
How we review license applications
The Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) reviews license applications in the order we receive them. The application review process takes time. The more complete your information, the faster the review process will be.
During the review process, DCC staff will:
- Check that your application is complete
- Contact the city or county where your business is located to confirm that you meet local requirements
- Review your business owners’ criminal history, if any
- Review the information you submitted to make sure your business meets the requirements
We will contact you if your application is incomplete. If we contact you:
- Stay in contact with us as you resolve the issue
- Provide what’s needed as soon as possible to reduce delays in issuing your license
