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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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