Cannabis Business License Lottery Applications Open

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is accepting applications for a range of adult-use cannabis business licenses.

The General Assembly legalized the production, sale, and adult possession and use of marijuana last year.

DCP is responsible for crafting regulations and overseeing the production and sale of marijuana in the state.

The agency will initially issue licenses for 12 retailers, four micro-cultivators, 10 delivery services, four hybrid retailers, 10 food and beverage, six product packagers, six product manufacturers and four transporters.

Lottery Applications

Half of those licenses will be issued through a lottery, while the balance will be distributed to social equity applicants—determined by income and whether the applicant lived in an area disproportionately impacted by prior marijuana laws.

As of Feb. 24, 2022, DCP is accepting lottery registration applications for the following license types:

• Adult-use cannabis retailers
• Micro-cultivators
• Delivery services
• Hybrid retailers

Additional lottery registration periods are scheduled for these license types:

• Food and beverage manufacturers (Mar. 3, 2022)
• Product manufacturers (Mar. 10, 2022)
• Product packagers (Mar. 10, 2022)
• Transporters (Mar. 24, 2022)

Non-Lottery Applications

DCP is currently accepting non-lottery applications for these license types:

• Cultivators located in a disproportionately impacted area
• Equity joint ventures
• Conversion from medical marijuana producer to expanded producer
• Conversion from medical marijuana dispensary to hybrid retailer

All lottery application periods and the application period for DIA cultivators are open for three months. There is no closing date for conversion applications or equity joint ventures.

Fees include $250 for a lottery application, $1,000 for a provisional license, and $5,000 for a final license. Prices are halved for social equity applicants.

Adult-use cannabis retail sales are expected to begin in Connecticut by the end of 2022.