Cannabis License FAQ

It depends on the state. Some accept applications on a rolling basis (New Jersey, Massachusetts), some run windows or lotteries (Rhode Island, Virginia, Connecticut), and some have no open window now (New York, Maryland, Delaware). Start with the state guide for your market.

Application and license fees range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, and social equity applicants often pay less. The larger costs are the site, buildout, security, staff and working capital. Each state guide lists current fees where published.

No. Regulators decide, and many rounds are lotteries. Be wary of anyone who promises an approval.

Some states require site control at filing; others, such as Virginia's draft rules and New York's provisional retail licenses, allow you to find a site after an award.

From a provisional or conditional license to opening, most stores take 9 to 18 months, depending on the site, the town and the build.

Usually finding a site that clears the buffer and proximity rules and getting it approved locally. The buildout and security equipment are close behind.

It depends on the space and market. Security, the vault and IT are often bigger lines than owners expect. Build a budget for your specific site with a contingency.

Security and cameras, storage, limited access areas, signage, records, training, seed-to-sale setup and whether the store matches the approved plans.

Managers six to ten weeks before opening, and the full team in time to complete training and mock shifts before inspection.

Anyone the regulator treats as having a financial or controlling interest in a license. Definitions vary by state and can include investors, lenders, landlords, managers and some vendors.

It depends on the state: three retail interests in New York, six retailer licenses per company in Massachusetts, four dispensaries in Maryland and five licenses of any type in Virginia, among others.

Usually, within limits on ownership share, profit share and control. Options or rights to take control later are often prohibited.

It may make the landlord a disclosed party under some states' rules. Fixed market rent is the safer structure.

Customers per day, average ticket, gross margin, labor cost, new customers, delivery share, shrink and a compliance audit score, every month.

The state chooses. Many of our states use Metrc, including New York since the end of 2025.

We recommend monthly, unannounced internal audits, plus a mock inspection before renewals.

Yes. Adult-use cannabis remains a Schedule I substance federally, so 280E still limits deductions. Confirm your tax treatment with your accountant.

Both, and operators first. We are a management company made up of people with more than eight years running successful dispensaries in multiple markets.

Every engagement is scoped and quoted after a discovery call, as a flat fee.

Yes. You own the license and make final decisions in every agreement we sign.

New York and Massachusetts are our home markets, and we work across New Jersey, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Connecticut and Rhode Island. We also track Pennsylvania.

No. We do not sell our own products to stores we manage and do not take supplier payments for product placement.