How To Win A Cannabis Cultivation License
How can you win a cannabis cultivation license or can you? For starters, you have to be aware of the continued complex process that is involved with obtaining a license. In addition, each state has its own complexities as it relates to cannabis cultivation licensing. Each state has their own unique application that comes with various submission schedules and deadlines as well as content requirements.
For example in the state of Maryland, you get a whole month to submit your application. In the state of Illinois, applicants get only three weeks. The process is quite competitive and can be nerve-wracking, depending on the allotted schedule of the state you live in. You always have the option to move to another state, if you find your attempts to be unsuccessful. The competency level within each group of applicants tends to be increasingly dramatic.
The Licensing
The requirements for licensing and regulations will be different in each state. For instance, there are some states that will vertically integrate people who are applying for a cannabis cultivation license. What does this mean? It means that some cannabis business owners might have to do business from seed to sale, which means that the license will allow them to do more than cultivate. They may be able to process seeds and sell the harvest.
There are some states that do not have this kind of requirement, but rather will offer individuals a separate cannabis cultivation license where they grow cannabis, but if they wanted to indulge in processing seeds, they would have to apply for a processor license. If they wanted to operate a medical cannabis dispensary, then the application would have to be for a retail license. In some states, you may be able to apply for multiple licenses.
The Team
If you want to win a cannabis cultivation license, it would be more appropriate to get a good team together. You will also need business partners, vendors and operators. Make sure everyone is vetted. All members of the team must be versed in growing cannabis and in the cannabis industry. Discuss the steps, process and concepts that you are going to use in your cannabis cultivation business. Everyone on the team has to be on the same page.
For instance, one person on the team might be knowledgeable about obtaining permits while another team member might have knowledge of getting the facility or hydroponic lab built. On the team, you will need to consider hiring a strong cannabis lawyer with knowledge about state regulations and the changing cannabis laws. Your attorney will help in reviewing the licensing application and any other legal documents. The attorney will make sure that the documents are entirely focused on the cannabis regulations and laws.
Conducting Background Checks
Many teams fall apart if someone on the team is hiding a felony record and a cannabis possession charge. If you are going to spend money on a cannabis cultivation license, you should also spend some money on a private investigator for a criminal background check as many states require this. In fact, some states will conduct background checks on vendors and team members. So, you have to be proactive and prepared.
Make sure your hired vendors, consultants and partners are crime free if you are going to pay any of them a six-figure income. It is better to know what you are dealing with rather than going into it blind.
One Final Thing…
When you win your cannabis cultivation license, be sure that you pay your team members for their part in the success. Now, you can build your team and begin raising more capital.
