To get a marijuana cultivation license in Colorado, complete the MED New Regulated Marijuana Business License Application and submit it to the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED).
The cannabis cultivation application can be submitted digitally or dropped off or mailed to 1697 Cole Blvd., Suite 200, Lakewood, CO 80401. (MED will conduct credit and background checks on you as part of the application process.)
How much does a grow license cost?
Starting a Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility in Colorado carries a $5,000 application fee and a $1,830.00 facility license fee. The renewal costs turn on the size of the recreational marijuana cultivation facility:
Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility | Annual Renewal Costs |
Tier 1 (1 – 1,800 plants) |
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Tier 2 (1,801-3,600 plants) |
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Tier 3 (3,601-6,000 plants) |
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Tier 4 (6,001-10,200 plants) |
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Tier 5 (10,201-13,800 plants) |
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Expanded Production Management (for each additional tier of 3,600 plants over Tier 5) |
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Meanwhile, starting a Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility carries a $1,000 application fee and a $1,830.00 license fee. The renewal costs turn on the size of the facility:
Medical Marijuana Cultivation Facility | Annual Renewal Costs |
Class 1 (1-500 plants) |
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Class 1 (1-500 plants) |
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Class 1 (1-500 plants) |
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Expanded Production Management (for each class of 3,000 plants over Class 3) |
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Do I need a license to grow marijuana for myself?
No. Coloradans who are at least 21 years old may lawfully grow up to six marijuana plants in their residence. Though no more than three of the plants can be in the mature/flowering state.
Note that a maximum of 12 marijuana plants are allowed in one residence, even if more than two adults reside there. Furthermore, the plants must be stowed in a locked area away from children and pets.2
Also note that patients with a current and valid medical marijuana card and their caregiver can collectively possess up to 24 plants at home if they:
- reside in a city or county that puts no limit on the marijuana plants that can be cultivated in a home; and
- register with the state licensing authority; and
- provide notice to the city or county, if the jurisdiction requires it.3
What are the penalties for unlawful cultivation?
Growing more than 12 plants in the state of Colorado is a level 1 drug petty offense, carrying a fine of up to $1,000. Though the punishment for a subsequent offense turns on the number of plants involved.
A second-time cultivation offense is a level 1 drug misdemeanor when the amount of plants is 24 or less. Penalties include
- six to 18 months in jail and/or
- $500 to $5,000 in fines.
If there are more than 24 plants, a second-time cultivation offense is a level 3 drug felony. The sentence is
- two to four years in Colorado State Prison and/or
- $2,000 to $500,000 in fines.
Though the prison range is four to six years if the defendant was on parole or probation at the time.4
Go back to our Colorado marijuana laws main page. See our related article, How to Get a Grower’s License in Colorado.
Legal References
- 1 Colorado Code Register (CCR) 212–3. CRS 44-10-101 et. seq. Licensing Information, Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), Colorado Department of Revenue. 1 CCR 212-3-2-205. (Also go to MED for information on: retail marijuana transporters; medical marijuana transporters; medical marijuana testing facilities; retail marijuana testing facilities; retail marijuana stores; infused product manufacturers; retail marijuana licensing; retail marijuana product manufacturers; change of ownership of marijuana establishments; zoning and real estate land use for dispensaries and medical marijuana centers/medical marijuana businesses and retail marijuana businesses.)
- CRS 18-18-406.
- Article XVIII, section 14 of the Colorado Constitution. CRS 18-18-406. See also People v. Garcia-Gonzalez (Court of Appeals of Colorado, Division Two, 2020) 2020 COA 166. CRS 25-1.5-106. See also People v. Cox (Court of Appeals of Colorado, Division One, 2021) 2021 COA 68.
- CRS 18-18-406.