Cannacore Group Offers Licensing Consulting Services for Applicants in Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, & the US Virgin Islands
Cannacore: Licensing Consulting for Multiple States
MIAMI, June 9, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Current & Upcoming Licensing Opportunities Across the United States
As cannabis legalization continues to sweep through the nation, several states have recently released various licensing opportunities:
Kentucky: On March 31st, Governor Beshear signed Senate Bill 47 to legalize medical marijuana—making "The Bluegrass State" the 38th state in the country to approve the medical use of marijuana for its qualifying patients. Under the new law, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services will have until July 1st, 2024, to finalize all regulations—which sets Kentucky's medical marijuana program's launch expectancy to be in January 2025.
Kentuckians and non-residents will have the opportunity to apply for five (5) different licenses: (i) Cultivator [4 tiers]; (ii) Processor; (iii) Producer [holds both cultivator and processor licenses); (iv) Dispensary; and (v) Safety Compliance Facility.
Missouri: Currently, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is accepting applications for Transportation and Seed-to-Sale licenses. In addition, the Department announced they will open applications for Microbusiness licenses on June 6th, 2023, for the initial 48 Microbusiness licenses to be awarded. There are two types of Microbusiness licenses an applicant can apply for: Wholesale (Cultivation & Manufacturing) or Dispensary. The 48 initial licenses to be awarded will be limited to 6 in each of the 8 congressional districts – 4 wholesale facilities and 2 dispensaries.
To apply for a Microbusiness license, applicants will be required to pay a $1,500 application fee, as well as a $1,500 annual fee. After issuing the initial 48 Microbusiness licenses in October 2023, the Department will open future application rounds to issue additional 48 licenses (in each round) in July 2024 and May 2025.
Maryland: Medical marijuana business licensees will have until July 1st, 2023, to convert their licenses to adult-use before the Maryland Cannabis Administration opens its first round of applications for adult-use marijuana business licenses in September 2023. There are several license types interested individuals or entities can apply for: (i) Standard licenses: Grower; Processor; Dispensary; Incubator Space; and On-Site Consumption; and (ii) Microbusiness. The first round of licenses is set to be issued on/before January 1st, 2024; however, applicants must qualify as "social equity" applicants to be awarded a license in this round.
To qualify as a "social equity" applicant, the applicant must be 65% owned and controlled by individual(s) who meet one of the following requirements: (i) Lived in a disproportionately impacted area for at least 5 of the 10 years preceding the application; (ii) Attended a public school in a disproportionately impacted area for at least 5 years; OR (iii) At least 2 years, attended a 4-year institution of higher education in Maryland where at least 40% of individuals who attended the institution are eligible for a pell grant. For those interested who may not meet the Administration's eligibility requirements, the law sets forth the state's intention to issue a second round of licenses on/before May 1st, 2024.
Minnesota: On May 30th, 2023, Governor Walz signed HF 100A into law making Minnesota the 23rd state to legalize marijuana within its borders. The new law permits adults to legally possess marijuana on August 1st, 2023, as well as initiates state officials process of reviewing and expunging tens of thousands of marijuana convictions. Although the decriminalization and expungement efforts will begin quickly, adults in Minnesota will likely not see retail sales of cannabis products until sometime in 2024.
The 300-page bill carves out the new recreational marijuana program with the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management as the overseeing agency to the adult-use licensing program. Interested individuals and entities will be able to apply for the following license types: (i) Microbusiness; (ii) Mezzobusiness; (iii) Cultivator; (iv) Manufacturer; (v) Retailer; (vi) Wholesaler; (vii) Transporter; (viii) Delivery Service; (ix) Testing Facility; and (x) Event Organizer. Pursuant to HF 100A, vertical integration is strictly prohibited, with the exception to microbusinesses or mezzobusinesses, or the issuance of both lower- potency hemp edible manufacturer and lower-potency hemp edible retailer licenses to the same person or entity. Further, "social equity" applicants will be given priority points in the state's competitive scoring process.
New York: With the slow roll out of adult-use licenses since "The Big Apple" legalized marijuana in 2021, many interested groups are prepared and ready to apply for the various licenses permitted under New York law. New York's Office of Cannabis Management has until the end of August 2023 to finalize any and all regulations, so they can begin opening application periods after Labor Day. Those interested in entering New York's billion-dollar market will be able to apply for the following license types: (i) Nursery; (ii) Cultivator [4 types & 5 canopy tiers]; (iii) Processor [3 types]; (iv) Retail Dispensary; (v) Distributor; (vi) Microbusiness; (vii) Cooperative; (viii) Delivery; (ix) On-site Consumption; and (x) Laboratory.
Although the OCM has been vague as to the exact date general applications will open for the above license types, it is essential to begin working with an expert consulting team as New York's law implements strict ownership requirements and locality restrictions. Further, under the current proposed regulations, the OCM will not permit applicants to apply on a rolling basis rather set deadlines to apply.
US Virgin Islands: In January 2023, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. signed the Virgin Islands Cannabis Use Act streamlining a regulatory scheme for both medicinal and adult-use of cannabis. Many anticipate this new market will begin application licensing late 2023 or early 2024. Those interested in joining this flourishing market will have the chance to apply for the following licenses: (i) Cultivation (3 levels); (ii) Cannabis Product Manufacturer; (iii) Dispensary; (iv) Research and Development; and (v) Approved Vendor Certificate. Application fees will range from $500 - $5,000 dollars with reduced fees for existing farmers that apply for cultivation licenses. Not only will this be a competitive scoring application process, but also sets forth restrictions to ensure the US Virgin Islands' residency requirements are met to apply for a cannabis business license.
Who is Cannacore Group?
Cannacore Group is a team of experts with a passion for building successful businesses specializing in controlled substances from its initial start-up phase to a fully thriving operational business. From assisting clients in identifying new markets to target to bringing in additional resources such as funding and an operational team from our expansive network, our Team works with our clients side-by-side to ensure we can achieve their goals. Through extensive collaboration with clients across the United States, we have successfully supported marijuana businesses in 10+ states and have achieved an overall success rate of ~85%. Due to our Team's combined 19+ years working in the cannabis industry, we have a deep understanding of the array of complex regulations that are key to obtaining a prosperous business license. As such, Cannacore Group are bringing our unique experiences and expert skillset to cannabis markets in Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, and the US Virgin Islands to further assist innovative enterprises.
Founder/CEO, Paula Savchenko, Esq., has spent her career tailoring her services to each client's individual needs. With over 6 years specializing in cannabis business licensing, she has led our Team in developing proven Standard Operating Procedures to ensure continuous success pre- and post-licensure. With our Team's combined 19+ years of knowledge and experience in the cannabis industry, we bring a unique and innovative perspective to each application as we have worked in various states from vertically integrated systems to individual licensing. Our goal is to set our clients apart from the rest through strategic partnerships, foundational relationships with local partners and entities, and trailblazing community outreach and development.
How Can We Help You Achieve Your Goals in the Cannabis Market?
To enter the legal cannabis market, there are various regulatory requirements that are demanded by the state. Due our Team's experience in working with in multi-state expansion, we have an in-depth understanding of how to successfully meet all such requirements to ensure your team creates a strong, trusting relationship with the state's regulatory body. Depending on your team's needs, we offer an array of services to best meet your current and future goals. From building a team, including local partners and organizations, to introducing you to our network of lobbyists and expert industry professionals, we will make sure you have a strong group to enter such competitive markets. Further, we will provide proven Standard Operating Procedures and personalized narratives to ensure we represent your team as an efficient, turnkey group who is eager and ready to enter the industry. Our Team will collaboratively develop innovative strategies to help differentiate your team from the rest through tactical funding, community outreach initiatives, and identifying ideal facilities. From residency ownership requirements to mandating locality approval, we will help your team overcome any and all regulatory requirements regardless of how each state adapts the process to their specific needs.
Contact Us Today!
Due to the complex obstacles many face when entering or operating in the cannabis space, we understand that having an expert Team behind you to overcome the complex regulatory hurdles is essential to ensuring your success. If you are interested in discussing your options, contact our Team today at [email protected] or via our website: https://www.cannacoregrp.com/contact/
We look forward to working with you!
Media Contact
Paula Savchenko, Cannacore Group, 1 8134156465, [email protected]
SOURCE Cannacore Group
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