Commercial Cannabis
Interested parties may apply for the following types of Cannabis Business Permits in the City of Monterey:
- Storefront & Non-Storefront Retail Cannabis Business Permit Application
- Temporary Cannabis Event Permit Application
- Cannabis Testing Laboratory Permit Application
- Out-Of-City Cannabis Retail Delivery And Distribution Cannabis Business Permit Application
- Storefront & Non-Storefront Retail Cannabis Business Permit Application Procedure Guidelines and Review Criteria (UPDATED 1/26/2024)
- Temporary Cannabis Event Permit Application Procedure Guidelines and Review Criteria
- Cannabis Testing Laboratory Business Permit Application Procedure Guidelines And Review Criteria
- Storefront & Non-Storefront Retail Cannabis Business Permit Application Financial Responsibility, Indemnity and Consent To Inspection Terms
- Temporary Cannabis Event Permit Application Financial Responsibility, Indemnity And Consent To Inspection Terms
- Cannabis Testing Laboratory Business Permit Application Financial Responsibility, Indemnity And Consent To Inspection Terms
- Out-Of-City Cannabis Retail Delivery And Distribution Business Permit Application Financial Responsibility, Indemnity And Consent To Inspection Terms
UPDATE: The City is aware of an issue with the Live Scan process that is preventing applicants from adequately completing this requirement. Due to the delay caused by this issue, the deadline for completing the Live Scan requirement is being extended to a to be determined date.
A fee will be paid directly to the agency conducting the Live Scan and may vary by location. Background Check forms and Live Scan forms may be found here:
- Cannabis Business Permit Owner Background Application
- Live Scan Form (Coming Soon)
Storefront and Non-storefront retail cannabis business permit timeline
The window for Storefront and Non-Storefront Retail Cannabis Business Permit applications has now closed, and the process has entered Phase 1. The timeline is as follows (subject to change):
Phase 1: Completion Check/Determination of Eligibility | January 29 - February 14 |
Phase 2: Application Evaluation and Review | February 14 - March 29 |
Phase 3: Interviews | March 29 - April 12 |
Phase 4 - Final Recommendation and Award of Permits | April 12 - May 10 |
Follow the Storefront and Non-Storefront Retail Cannabis Business Permit application process flowchart link below for a detailed depiction of each phase of the process.
Cannabis Fee Schedule
In order to allow Storefront and Non-Storefront Retail Cannabis Business Permit applicants not completing the application process to avoid paying for all four phases, the fee payment schedule is staggered by item. Application fees for Phases 1 & 2 plus the background check fee will be due between January 4, 2024 and January 29, 2024 [This window has now closed.]. If selected to move forward, a payment of $1,840 is due within five (5) business days of the applicant being notified they have been selected to proceed to Phase 3. If selected to move forward again, a payment of $2,360 is due within five (5) business days of the applicant being notified they have been selected to proceed to Phase 4.
Description |
FY24 Fee |
Application Review | Per Applicant |
Storefront & Non-Storefront Phase 1 | $1,510 |
Storefront & Non-Storefront Phase 2 | $3,335 |
Storefront & Non-Storefront Phase 3 | $1,840 |
Storefront & Non-Storefront Phase 4 | $2,360 |
Testing Laboratory | $2,425 |
Temporary Cannabis Event | $1,610 |
Out-of-City Retail / Distribution | $70 |
Background Check | $300 per owner |
Annual Cannabis Compliance Fee | $2,395 |
Cannabis Audit | $6,000 |
Cannabis Business Permit Renewal | $780 |
Zone Clearance | $140 |
For background on the ordinance process (steps 1, 2, and 3 in the above graphic), please refer to haveyoursaymonterey.org/cannabis.