Temporary Licenses
When will CDPH begin accepting temporary licenses?
CDPH is currently accepting temporary license applications.
You can access the temporary license application on our website. The completed application and a copy of your local city or county authorization can be emailed to mcls@cdph.ca.gov or mailed to the following address:
CDPH ā Manufactured Cannabis Safety Branch
Attn: Licensing Unit
PO Box 997377, MS 7606
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
A local authorization is a document from your local city or county that permits you to operate a cannabis business. This documentation will look different in every jurisdiction but may be a cannabis business permit, temporary cannabis license or letter of authorization to operate a cannabis business. Contact your city or county government office for more information about the procedures in your jurisdiction.
A temporary license is valid for 120 days from the date of the license. MCSB may approve 90-day extension periods if the holder of the temporary license submits a complete annual license application prior to the expiration date of the temporary license.
MCSB is committed to processing applications for temporary licenses as quickly as possible to minimize disruption to the market. Once an application is received, it will be reviewed for completeness and the city or county office will be contacted to verify the local authorization. The local office will be given up to 10 days to respond. If the local office confirms that the business is authorized to conduct commercial cannabis activities, MCSB will issue the license. No licenses will have an effective date prior to January 1, 2018.
If commercial cannabis activity is banned in the city or county where your premises is located, you will not be able to obtain a state cannabis license.
Beginning January 1, 2018, you must have a license to operate a cannabis business within the state of California.
Annual licenses are being accepted through our online system, the Manufactured Cannabis Licensing System (MCLS). MCLS is available to access now on the Licensing page of our website.
There is no fee to apply for a temporary license.
Beginning January 1, 2018, you must have a license to operate a cannabis business within the state of California. You can apply for an annual license whether or not you have a temporary license.
During the transition period, which lasts from January 1 until July 1, 2018, you can do business with adult-use licensees or medicinal use licensees, regardless of whether you have an A- or M- license. Beginning July 1, 2018, A-licensees can only do business with A-licensees, and M-licensees can only do business with M-licensees.
Temporary licenses are only valid for one premises. If your business has multiple premises where cannabis manufacturing occurs, you will need to apply for a temporary license for each premises.
Beginning January 1, 2018, only licensed businesses will be able to conduct commercial cannabis activity and may only do business with other licensees. If a business is cited for operating without a license, the business might not be able to obtain a license in the future.