Cultivation License

What a cultivation license allows

A cultivation license lets a business grow cannabis plants and sell harvested flower to other licensed businesses, such as processors, distributors or dispensaries.

Common license tiers

• By canopy size: most states license cultivation in tiers by square footage of flowering canopy.
• By light source: indoor, outdoor, mixed-light (greenhouse) or a combination.
• Craft or micro grows: smaller, often lower-fee licenses, such as Illinois's craft grower license.
• Nursery: clones, seeds and immature plants.

Typical requirements

• Agricultural or industrial zoning and local approval
• Water rights and environmental compliance
• Security, waste disposal and pesticide plans
• Seed-to-sale tracking for every plant

Typical steps

1. Choose a tier that fits your budget and facility.
2. Secure land or a building with proper zoning and utilities.
3. Prepare cultivation, security and environmental plans.
4. Submit your application and fees, then pass inspection.

Estimate your budget with our startup cost calculator.

States that offer cultivation licenses

Our state guides list cultivation licenses in 41 states. Open a state guide for current fees, application windows, caps and requirements.

Adult-use and medical states (24)

Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington

Medical-only states (15)

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia

Low-THC states (2)

Georgia, Texas

Availability changes often, and some states cap licenses or accept applications only in rounds. Always confirm with the state regulator.