Licensing and Permits
MRTA Article 6; Sections 126, 128, 129, 130, 130-A, 138
These sections define where a cannabis license legally applies, how permits and registrations work, who is authorized to test cannabis, how temporary events are regulated, and how criminal-history reviews are conducted.
Licenses under Article 6 are precise, tied to specific locations and activities, and governed by strict approval and amendment rules.
What This Covers
- Where a cannabis license is legally valid
- How licenses, permits, and registrations are issued and amended
- Laboratory testing authorization and limits
- Special use and showcase event permits
- Criminal-history access and background review authority
Licensed Premises and Transport Rules (126)
A cannabis license applies only to the specific premises approved by OCM.
Key rules:
- Cannabis may only be sold, stored, processed, or handled at the licensed premises
- Any relocation, expansion, or additional storage location requires prior OCM approval
- Transport of cannabis is regulated, including:
- Who may transport
- Approved vehicle use
- Inventory tracking and documentation
Operating from an unlicensed location or storing inventory elsewhere places the licensee out of compliance.
Permits, Registrations, and Licenses (128)
This section authorizes OCM to issue, renew, amend, and enforce cannabis licenses, permits, and registrations.
Key rules:
- Licenses are not transferable unless explicitly allowed by law or regulation
- Ownership or control changes require OCM approval before they occur
- Permits and registrations expire and must be renewed on OCM’s schedule
- Purchasing a cannabis business does not transfer the license automatically
Every license, permit, or registration is specific to the approved entity, activity, and location.
Laboratory Testing Permits (129)
Only laboratories holding an OCM-issued permit may test cannabis.
Requirements include:
- Compliance with state standards for independence and accuracy
- Adherence to quality control and reporting requirements
- Issuance of valid Certificates of Analysis (COAs)
Cannabis tested by a non-permitted lab cannot be legally sold.
This section underpins product safety and testing integrity statewide.
Special Use Permits (130)
Special use permits authorize limited, non-routine activities not covered by a standard license.
These may include:
- Temporary research activities
- Educational or demonstration events
- Short-term handling or storage arrangements
- Other narrowly defined activities approved by OCM
If an activity is not included in your license and not expressly allowed by regulation, a special use permit is required.
Cannabis Showcase Event Permits (130-A)
This section authorizes temporary cannabis showcase events hosted by licensed retailers.
Key rules:
- All products must come through the regulated supply chain
- Only authorized staff may handle or sell cannabis
- Inventory must be tracked in real time
- Packaging, labeling, and safety rules fully apply
- Each participating licensee must be listed on the permit
Showcase permits are the only lawful pathway for pop-ups, brand activations, or off-site retail events.
Access to Criminal History Information (138)
OCM may request criminal-history records from the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS).
This applies to:
- Applicants
- Owners
- True Parties of Interest
- Individuals associated with a license, permit, or registration
Key rules:
- Disclosures must be complete and accurate
- Records are used to evaluate eligibility and fitness
- Omissions or misrepresentations are grounds for denial
This section provides the legal authority for background checks in the cannabis program.
Related MRTA Article 6 Section Pages
Source Material
