Licenses issued by the Bureau of Cannabis Control, CDFA’s CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing, and CDPH’s Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch for cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, microbusinesses, testing laboratories, and event organizers are now in effect as of January 1, 2018 and businesses are now operating in California’s newly-legal commercial cannabis market. More than 10,000 cannabis operators, from Shasta Lake to the City of San Diego, hold state licenses in the largest cannabis market in the country.

A state license is required to engage in commercial cannabis activity in California. Applicants will also need to provide proof of approval from the local jurisdiction they’ll be operating in before a license can be issued. Please note that if a local jurisdiction prohibits commercial cannabis activity, the state cannot issue a license for a premises within that local jurisdiction.

For more information or to apply for a license with one of the state’s three cannabis licensing authorities, please visit the links provided below.

Apply for a License
Temporary Licensing Information
Cannabis License Search
Local Equity Information
Tax Permits
Motor Carrier Permits

The Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) creates the general framework for the regulation of commercial medicinal and adult-use cannabis in California. The text of MAUCRSA is available on the California Legislative Information website.

In January 2019, the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) officially approved state regulations for cannabis businesses across the supply chain. These new regulations immediately took effect, meaning the previous emergency regulations are no longer in effect. Licensees are required to comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to their license type, as well as follow all other applicable state laws.

Cannabis Regulations
Previous Regulation Packages
Public Comment
Cannabis Legislation

Resources

Serving as a valuable resource and a one-stop shop for all things related to the state’s effort to regulate the commercial cannabis industry. Please make sure to check back on this website regularly as content is updated daily.

Content updates feature essential information related to the state’s commercial cannabis regulations and guidelines, the licensing application process, and important announcements from the state’s three cannabis licensing authorities and sister agencies. Links to each state agency’s cannabis information are listed towards the bottom of the home page under the “Collaborating State Agencies” section.