Connecticut Cannabis License Application Tips

By Michelle Bodian, Bridgette Nikisher

Mar 18, 2022

Connecticut’s first round of adult-use cannabis licensing is underway, with the first lottery application period closing on May 4, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Read on for practical tips to help complete your application.

Get to Know the E-License Portal 

• Familiarize yourself with the portal 

  • Connecticut’s e-license platform is user-friendly and is where you will be asked to provide information and upload documentation

• Create an e-license platform account as early as possible and take time to explore the portal

• Create a business account and an individual account

  • You need to submit your license application under a business account and your backer applications under individual accounts, so be sure to set those up ahead of time

• Be sure to keep track of your usernames and passwords

Complete All Application Questions

• Answer all the questions completely and truthfully

• Answer all the questions/boxes with an asterisk (*)

  • This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to miss a question or forget to upload a document

• You cannot move to the next page until you complete the page you are on; however, you can move backward in the application at any time

Allocate Ample Time to Complete the Application

• Leave yourself enough time to complete the application

  • These applications do not have to be completed in one sitting, but we advise you to allocate enough time to complete your application

• You can “Close and Save” the application at any point and continue at a later time

  • The application will be waiting for you the next time you log in to your account

• Start the “Backer” application early

  • While both the license and backer application are generally straightforward, the backer application is slightly more involved and we recommend that you carve out sufficient time

Uploading Your Documents

• Gather documents early

  • Start collecting documents as early as possible so you're not scrambling at the finish line

• Upload all pages

  • If a document has multiple pages, ensure that all pages are included in the upload (even if they are blank) and are uploaded in order

• Ensure all documents are fully legible

  • This means complete, unobscured, and without shadows or other marks that would make it difficult to read

• Use any means necessary to “scan” documents

  • Adobe Scan, CamScanner, Genius Scan, and the iPhone Notes app allow you to use your iPhone camera as a scanner

Paying the Invoice

• Pay the invoice payment

  • Your license application will not be submitted until you make payment on the invoice page

  • Acceptable forms of payment include Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and eCheck/ACH

• Backer applications are free and do not require payment (yet)

  • As an FYI, the “Finish” button on the backer application will submit your application

  • Prior to clicking this button, please ensure your application is complete, truthful, and accurate

You Submitted Your Application: Now what?

• We recommend saving the review and payment pages for your records

  • You can do this by printing a hard copy of the page, clicking the print screen button and save as a PDF, or taking a screenshot and saving as an image

• Applications will not be reviewed until the end of the lottery period

  • DCP stated they estimate the lottery to run shortly after the application period closes (likely within a few weeks of closing) 

  • The lottery will not be live

• Cross your fingers and hope for a lucky ticket!

Please contact our team if you have any questions about submitting a Connecticut cannabis license application.

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