At Manzuri Law, our California cannabis attorneys have helped procure and/or maintain over 200 licenses for business owners throughout the state.
One of the most important aspects of our industry advocacy is ensuring our clients understand the fees associated with obtaining and renewing California cannabis business licenses. To start, each California cannabis license type has a different application and license fee before and after approval.
The California Cannabis License Application Fees are due when you submit your application. Your application is reviewed only after the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) receives your application fee.
The California Cannabis License Fees are due when your application is approved. DCC issues your license only after you pay the license fee. The license fee is also due annually when you renew the license. License Fees are specific to the license type you have.. Most fees are calculated based on your business’s gross annual revenue.
As of January 2023, to follow is a list of California cannabis business applications and license fees.
What are the California Cannabis Cultivation Application & License Fees?
California cannabis cultivation application and license fees are based on your size and type of production or lighting.
| Cultivation License | Application Fee License Fee | Type |
| Specialty cottage outdoor | $135 | $1,205 |
| Specialty cottage indoor | $205 | $1,830 |
| Specialty cottage mixed-light tier 1 | $340 | $3,035 |
| Specialty cottage mixed-light tier 2 | $580 | $5,200 |
| Specialty outdoor | $270 | $2,410 |
| Specialty indoor | $2,170 | $19,540 |
| Specialty mixed-light tier 1 | $655 | $5,900 |
| Specialty mixed-light tier 2 | $1,125 | $10,120 |
| Small outdoor | $535 | $4,820 |
| Small indoor | $3,935 | $35,410 |
| Small mixed-light tier 1 | $1,310 | $11,800 |
| Small mixed-light tier 2 | $2,250 | $20,235 |
| Medium outdoor | $1,555 | $13,990 |
| Medium indoor | $8,655 | $77,905 |
| Medium mixed-light tier 1 | $2,885 | $25,970 |
| Medium mixed-light tier 2 | $4,945 | $44,517 |
| Nursery | $520 | $4,685 |
| Processor | $1,040 | $9,370 |
| Large Cultivation License Type | Application Fee | Base License Fee | +2000 sq. ft. |
| Large outdoor | $1,555 | $13,990 | $640 each |
| Large indoor | $8,655 | $77,905 | $7,080 |
| Large mixed-light tier 1 | $2,885 | $25,970 | $2,360 |
| Large mixed-light tier 2 | $4,945 | $44,517 | $4,040 |
What are the California Cannabis Manufacturing Application & License Fees?
California cannabis manufacturing application and license fees are based on (proposed) gross annual revenue for Type 7, 6, N, P, and S licenses.
| Gross Annual Revenue | Application Fee | License Fee |
| Less than or equal to $100,000 (Tier I) | $1,000 each type | $2,000 |
| $100,001 to $500,000 (Tier II) | $7,500 | |
| $500,001 to $1,500,000 (Tier III) | $15,000 | |
| $1,500,001 to $3,000,000 (Tier IV) | $25,000 | |
| $3,000,001 to $5,000,000 (Tier V) | $35,000 | |
| $5,000,001 to $10,000,000 (Tier VI) | $50,000 | |
| More than $10,000,000 (Tier VII) | $75,000 |
There is no additional fee for a Type 7, 6, or N licensee to register a shared-use facility.
For Type S Manufacturing Licenses:
| Gross Annual Revenue | Application Fee | License Fee |
| Less than or equal to $100,000 (Tier I) | $500 each type | $2,000 |
| $100,001 to $500,000 (Tier II) | $7,500 | |
| $500,001 to $1,000,000 (Tier III) | $15,000 |
What are the California Cannabis Distribution Application & License Fees?
California cannabis distribution business application and license fees are based on gross annual revenue.
| Gross Annual Revenue | Application Fee | License Fee |
| Less than or equal to $1,000,000 | $1,000 each | $1,500 |
| $1,000,001 to $2,500,000 | $6,000 | |
| $2,500,001 to $5,000,000 | $11,250 | |
| $5,000,001 to $10,000,000 | $22,500 | |
| $10,000,001 to $20,000,000 | $45,000 | |
| $20,000,001 to $30,000,000 | $75,000 | |
| $30,000,001 to $50,000,000 | $120,000 | |
| $50,000,001 to $70,000,000 | $180,000 |
If your business transports only goods you cultivate or manufacture, you can get a reduced license fee.
What are the California Cannabis Testing Laboratory Application & License Fees?
California cannabis testing laboratory business application and license fees are based on gross annual revenue.
| Gross Annual Revenue | Application Fee | License Fee |
| Less than or equal to $160,000 | $1,000 each $3,000 | |
| $160,001 to $320,000 | $6,000 | |
| $320,001 to $480,000 | $8,000 | |
| $480,001 to $800,000 | $13,000 | |
| $800,001 to $1,200,000 | $20,000 | |
| $1.200,001 to $2,000,000 | $32,000 | |
| $2,000,001 to $2,800,000 | $48,000 | |
| $2,800,001 to $4,400,000 | $72,000 | |
| More than $4,400,000 | $112,000 |
What are the California Cannabis Retail Application & License Fees?
California cannabis retail business application and license fees are based on gross annual revenue.
| Gross Annual Revenue | Application Fee | License Fee |
| Less than or equal to $500,000 | $1,000 each | $2,500 |
| $500,001 to $750,000 | $5,500 | |
| $750,001 to $1,000,000 | $7,500 | |
| $1,000,001 to $1,500,000 | $11,000 | |
| $1,500,001 to $2,000,000 | $14,500 | |
| $2,000,001 to $3,000,000 | $22,500 | |
| $3,000,001 to $4,000,000 | $30,500 | |
| $4,000,001 to $5,000,000 | $38,500 | |
| $5,000,001 to $6,000,000 | $46,500 | |
| $6,000,001 to $7,500,000 | $57,000 | |
| More than $7.5 million | $96,000 |
What are the California Cannabis Microbusiness Application & License Fees?
California cannabis Microbusiness application and license fees are based on gross annual revenue.
| Gross Annual Revenue | Application Fee | License Fee |
| Less than or equal to $1,000,000 | $1,000 each | $5,000 |
| $1,000,001 to $2,000,000 | $12,000 | |
| $2,000,001 to $3,000,000 | $20,000 | |
| $3,000,001 to $4,000,000 | $32,000 | |
| $4,000,001 to $6,000,000 | $45,000 | |
| $6,000,001 to $7,000,000 | $60,000 | |
| $7,000,001 to $10,000,000 | $80,000 | |
| $10,000,001 to $20,000,000 | $100,000 | |
| $20,000,001 to $30,000,000 | $120,000 | |
| $30,000,001 to $40,000,000 | $140,000 | |
| $40,000,001 to $50,000,000 | $160,000 | |
| $50,000,001 to $60,000,000 | $180,000 | |
| $60,000,001 to $80,000,000 | $220,000 | |
| More than $80,000,000 | $300,000 |
What are the California Cannabis Event Application & License Fees?
Cannabis event annual license fees are based on the number of events you plan to hold during the year.
| Number of Planned Cannabis Events | Application Fee | License Fee |
| 5 or fewer | $1,000 each | $3,000 |
| 6 to 10 | $5,000 | |
| 11 to 20 | $9,000 | |
| More than 20 | $20,000 |
Temporary cannabis event licenses are $1,000 per event.
If you are interested in pursuing a California cannabis license for any type of business, or are seeking advice from a compliance advocate, contact one of our California cannabis law firm specialists today by phone at (310) 912-2960 or online to learn more about how we can help.
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