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Cannabis Retail Registration Update
The Office of Cannabis Management has updated its guidance for local governments on retail registration and zoning verification.
The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is in the process of preliminarily approving license applicants. In May, applicants for uncapped licenses were notified of preliminary approval. During the week of June 2, OCM held a lottery for the capped license applicants. Once an applicant receives preliminarily approval, they can finalize their location and begin working toward full license approval. For more information, view the OCM mapped licensure process (pdf).
Local retail registrations
During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers amended the law to allow a city to issue a local retail registration to applicants with preliminary approval status. Previously, cities could only issue a retail registration after a business received its license from OCM. View more information about the local retail registration process and implications for cities with a retail registration cap.
Zoning
OCM encourages preliminarily approved applicants to contact their local government before submitting the local approval form. Because a specific location is not required for preliminary approval, OCM will not notify governments about applicants at this stage.
Since additional steps are required for zoning approval, applicants are encouraged to contact the city in advance to identify any additional business requirements and confirm that the proposed site meets building and fire code standards before seeking zoning approval.
A local government’s decision to not certify a proposed site does not mean the applicant will be denied and lose their preliminary approval status. However, applicants must comply with all requirements before being granted a license.
What’s next?
OCM is continuing to update its guidance materials for local governments and applicants. The League will share new information as it becomes available.