Legislative & Licensing Update: October 20, 2022
It’s time to apply for medical marijuana licenses in Alabama!
Applications for all types of cannabis business licenses will be released on Monday, October 24. Learn more about how to apply for a cannabis license and best practices for submitting your application by the December 30 deadline from one of our Alabama cannabis consultants, Brian Hart.
Plus, 3 weeks to Get Out the Vote for cannabis ballot initiatives in 5 states — Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota & South Dakota. And, dispensary applications open in Rhode Island.
Alabama Medical Marijuana Licenses: The Clock Starts Ticking
The window to request a cannabis business pre-application closed on Monday, October 17 with a total of 600+ applicants. The applications themselves will be sent to applicants on Monday, October 24.
Important details from our Alabama cannabis consultants:
The due date is December 30 – and the regulatory requirements we’ve seen thus far are very extensive. Applicants will have a short window to prepare and submit all of the required information.
Be active now to prepare based on the regulations and jump on the application itself as soon as possible — don’t dawdle or you’ll run into the holiday rush.
Be a Cannabis Advocate in Ballot Initiative States
It’s less than 3 weeks until the November midterm elections, with adult use legalization on the ballot in 5 states: Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
With passage, new business opportunities will crop up in these states over the coming months and years
The most important action you can take now if you live in one of these states is to be an advocate: register to vote, vote, campaign, and support cannabis-friendly candidates. Once the initiative passes, it’s wise to start preparing your business planning and building out your core team
Apply for a Nevada Consumption Lounge License by October 27
Nevada’s Consumption lounge license applications opened October 14 and will close on October 27.
There are opportunities for new applicants to get into the market. Also, Nevada’s consumption lounges are set to be uniquely successful as they can actually sell cannabis products from within the establishment.
If you’re interested in applying for a consumption license in Nevada, reach out and we’ll give you the quick rundown. The application is relatively short and there are minimal qualifications.
Don’t forget: You have to go to Carson City to submit your fees.
Dispensary License Applications in Rhode Island
Regulators in Rhode Island began accepting applications from medical cannabis dispensaries that want to become hybrid retailers with recreational sales. Adult-use sales are expected to start in December, and additional licensing should happen in 2023.
This is important for potential new operators who are waiting for regulations and application details, because it will motivate regulators to create rules for the adult-use market.
Our advice is to watch out for when the Governor appoints the three members to the Cannabis Control Commission, since that will signal the beginning of the new rule-making process. That should be your starting gun to get your business preparations going, if you haven’t already.
Canna Advisors Team on the Ground in New York, New Jersey, and Las Vegas
This week:
- Two of our license application experts Sumer Thomas and Russ Hudson spoke at the Cannabis Quality Conference in New Jersey and covered the topic “Tri-State Cannabis: Pro Tips for Winning Applications”.
- Founding Partner Jay Czarkowski and veteran cannabis strategist Bob Wagener are currently in New York City at the Arcview Cannabis Investment Summit .
In November, you can catch the Canna team at MJ BizCon – reach out if you would like to meet up there.