License

A cannabis license is a state-issued permit (typically requiring local approval as well) authorizing specific commercial cannabis activities. Because cannabis remains federally illegal, all licensing is state-level, producing a fragmented patchwork. Common categories include cultivator, processor, manufacturer, distributor, retailer, testing laboratory, microbusiness, craft grower, delivery, on-site consumption, and event organizer. Most states tier cultivation by flowering canopy square footage and may cap retail by population ratio or absolute number (Illinois' 500 dispensary cap; Florida's historical 14-MMTC cap). California's DCC issues 14 license types across cultivation sizes, manufacturing, distribution, retail, testing, microbusiness, and events. Illinois separates Cultivation Centers (cap 30 statewide, 210,000 sq ft each) from Craft Growers (cap 150, up to 14,000 sq ft). Massachusetts has 11 cultivation tiers and dedicated cooperative, microbusiness, delivery, and courier licenses. Most states layer residency requirements, ownership limits, and social equity set-asides. Agent or worker cards typically extend licensing down to individual employees. → See also: Microbusiness, Craft cannabis, Cottage license, Social equity license