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13 Types Of Adult Use Cannabis Cultivation Licenses In California

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  • 13 Types Of Adult Use Cannabis Cultivation Licenses In California

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is authorized to issue the following 13 types of adult use cannabis cultivation licenses in California and there are 11 types of medical use cultivation licenses:

  • Type 1—Small Specialty Outdoor
  • Type 1A—Small Specialty Indoor
  • Type 1B—Small Specialty Mixed-Light
  • Type 2—Small Outdoor
  • Type 2A—Small Indoor
  • Type 2B—Small Mixed-Light
  • Type 3—Medium Outdoor
  • Type 3A—Medium Indoor
  • Type 3B—Medium Mixed-Light
  • Type 4—Nursery

Type 5—Large Outdoor

For outdoor cultivation that uses no artifcial lighting for more than 1 acre of total canopy size on one premises

Note: CDFA will not issue any Type 5 licenses prior to January 1, 2023

Type 5A—Large Indoor

For indoor cultivation that exclusively uses artificial lighting for more than 22,000 square feet of total canopy size
on one premises

Note: CDFA will not issue any Type 5 licenses prior to January 1, 2023

Type 5B—Large Mixed-Light

For cultivation using a combination of natural and supplemental artifcial lighting at a maximum threshold (which will be determined by the licensing authority) for more than 22,000 square feet of total canopy size on one premises

Note: CDFA will not issue any Type 5 licenses prior to January 1, 2023

How are you developing the cannabis cultivation licensing regulations?

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is required to follow the statutory requirements found in the California Administrative Procedure Act. CDFA works with stakeholders, the public, and licensing authorities to develop the standards and regulations necessary to successfully implement a statewide cannabis cultivation regulatory structure in California.

SPECIAL NOTE: Proposed regulations for medical cannabis cultivation licensing are now available for public review and comment. Read more here.

Proposed regulations for adult-use (nonmedical) cultivation licensing will be available for public review and comment later in 2017. CDFA intends to use the emergency rulemaking process in 2017 for the adult-use licensing regulations and expects these regulations to be similar to the medical cannabis cultivation regulations. Until these proposed regulations are released, prospective adult-use cultivation applicants might beneft from reviewing the licensing requirements outlined in the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA, also known as Proposition 64). Examples of requirements listed in AUMA include providing a detailed description of the applicant’s operating procedures and a comprehensive diagram of the proposed premises.

How do I apply for a cannabis cultivation license?

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is not issuing any cultivation licenses until January 1, 2018. However, in preparation for state licensure, CDFA recommends staying up to date on city and/or county government requirements for local cannabis cultivation licenses and permits.

How can I receive updates on the status of California’s cultivation licensing regulations?

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) regularly posts information on its CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing website and via these three social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Email alerts are another way to get information; please sign up here.

Where can I read a summary of California’s adult-use cannabis law?

(AUMA, also known as Proposition 64), and the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA)?

For a summary of AUMA (Proposition 64) please click here.

For a summary of MCRSA, please click here.

How long will a license last before it must be renewed?

All cannabis cultivation licenses will be valid for one year; a license must be renewed if a licensee wants to continue cultivating cannabis commercially.

What is the cannabis track-and-trace system? How will it work?

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is developing a track-and-trace system for both medical and adult-use (nonmedical) cannabis. This system will record the movement of cannabis and cannabis products through the supply chain—from cultivation to sale—which will help ensure that if a public safety concern arises, the source will be identifable. The track-and-trace system will also help prevent blackmarket cannabis products from entering the regulated market, and likewise help prevent regulated cannabis products from being diverted into the black market.

Will there be different rules for how medical and adult-use (nonmedical) cannabis may be grown in California?

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is responsible for licensing all commercial cannabis cultivators, and the cultivation requirements are expected to be the same for growing medical and adult-use (nonmedical) cannabis. However, cannabis products sold to the public must be clearly differentiated as either medical or adult-use products.

Is cannabis considered an agricultural crop in California?

California defines medical and adult-use (nonmedical) cannabis as an agricultural product. However, this identifcation as an agricultural product does not extend to other areas of the law. For example, cannabis is not an agricultural product with respect to local “right to farm” ordinances.

How can I contact CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing?

Please call (916) 263-0801, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, or send an email.