Licensing

Vicente LLP is a national leader in cannabis business licensing. We have helped clients obtain all types of licenses — cultivation, processing, retail, testing, delivery, etc. — including many through highly competitive application processes. We also routinely help clients secure licenses through non-competitive state and local processes, and we have been doing so for over a decade.

Vicente LLP started helping entrepreneurs obtain cannabis business licenses back in 2010, after firm leaders helped establish the nation’s first state-regulated cannabis market in Colorado. Since then, our attorneys and professional staff have developed extensive experience navigating state and local licensing processes across North America. Their active participation in shaping state and local cannabis laws and regulations provides them with unique insights into these complicated licensing systems. As a result, we have an unparalleled track record of success: Vicente LLP has helped clients successfully obtain licenses in 27 states and dozens of localities across the U.S. and Canada (see the "Experience" tab below for details).

Vicente LLP provides assistance with all types of state and local licensing applications, including applications for new business licenses, license renewals, social equity and economic empowerment programs, changes of ownership, changes of location, modification of premises, and occupational licensing. We oversee the application process, create work plans, draft narratives, and play a critical role in the production of business plans, financials, and operating manuals, providing confidential legal and strategic advice related to all facets of the process and your business. We have also developed comprehensive industry-specific manuals and intellectual property to assist clients when applying in new markets. From the initial completion and review of applications to complex processes involving existing facilities, our team can quickly assess a client's needs and provide them with the guidance and practical knowledge necessary for continued success.

LEADERSHIP

Founding Partner

Services

  • Assistance with all types of state and local licensing applications, including applications for new business licenses, license renewals, changes of ownership, changes of location, modification of premises, and occupational licensing

  • Assistance with finding of suitability applications and other financial disclosure applications

  • Development of standard operating procedures and implementation of industry best practices

  • Obtaining required state and local tax permits

  • Development of business plans, including market analysis and financial projections

  • Regulatory reviews of licensing applications and supporting documents

  • Representation at state and local licensing hearings

  • Development of community engagement and outreach plans and establishing of local support
  • Renewal tracking and assistance for all license types

Experience

Vicente LLP has assisted clients in obtaining all types of cannabis licenses:

  • Cultivation
  • Delivery
  • Hospitality
  • Processing / Manufacturing
  • Retail / Dispensary
  • Testing
  • Transport / Distribution

We have helped clients successfully secure licenses in the following 27 states, as well as dozens of localities across the U.S. and Canada:

  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Iowa
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia

Vicente LLP has helped clients obtain licenses through some of the most competitive state and local application processes in the country. The following is a sample of our track record:

  • California — Helped a client obtain approval for local storefront and delivery licenses in West Hollywood, where over 300 screening applications were submitted by more than 120 different applicants, and the city awarded only eight authorizations to proceed for each license type.

  • Colorado — In the city of Aurora, helped a client win one of 27 local adult-use cannabis business licenses, receiving the highest score of the 57 applications submitted.

  • Connecticut — Helped clients win almost 30% of all available adult-use cannabis licenses in the first-round lottery. Also helped a client win a state medical cannabis dispensary license, when just nine were awarded and 73 applications were submitted. 

  • Florida Helped a client win one of the first state medical cannabis cultivation/distribution licenses, when only five were awarded and 28 applications were submitted.

  • Georgia — Helped a client win a Class 2 Production License, when 4 were awarded and 48 applications were submitted. Vicente LLP’s client received one of the top three scores of the submitted applications. 
  • Hawaii — Helped a client win a state medical cannabis dispensary license, when only eight were awarded and 66 applications were submitted.

  • Maryland — Helped a client win one of 15 state medical cannabis cultivation licenses and one of 15 medical cannabis processing licenses, when 145 cultivation applications and 124 processing applications were submitted, respectively. Also helped win three state medical cannabis dispensary licenses.

  • Michigan — In Northfield Township, helped a client win a local adult-use retail license and a medical provisioning center license, when only three of each license type were awarded.
  • Minnesota — Helped a client win one of only two state medical cannabis cultivation licenses that were awarded. 

  • Missouri — When the state awarded 24 medical cannabis dispensary licenses in each congressional district, Vicente LLP helped clients win a license in District 5 (where 182 applications were submitted), District 6 (where 168 applications were submitted, and District 7 (where 141 applications were submitted). Also helped clients win four of the 86 state medical cannabis manufacturing licenses awarded (415 applications were submitted) and one of only 10 state medical cannabis testing licenses, receiving the highest score of the 17 applications submitted. Additionally, Vicente LLP helped a client win one of 60 state medical cannabis cultivation licenses (554 applications were submitted) to achieve vertical integration.

  • Nevada — Helped clients win four of the 60 state cannabis businesses licenses awarded, receiving the highest and second-highest scores of the 109 applications submitted.

  • New Jersey — Helped a client win a medical cultivation license, when 10 were awarded and 40 applications were submitted. Vicente LLP's client received one of the top five highest scores of the submitted applications.
  • New York — Helped clients acquire conditional cultivator and conditional processor licenses, the first adult-use cannabis license types available in the state. Also helped a client win a state medical cannabis cultivation license, when only four were awarded and 43 applications were submitted.

  • North Dakota — Helped a client win one of only two state medical cannabis cultivation/manufacturing licenses, receiving the highest score of the 19 applications submitted.

  • Ohio — Helped a client win one of only 12 large medical cannabis cultivation licenses awarded by the state, receiving the highest score of the 109 total applications submitted. Also helped win one medical cannabis processor license and three dispensary licenses.

  • Pennsylvania — Helped a client win a state medical cannabis dispensary license, when only 27 were awarded and 282 applications were submitted. In Erie and Pittsburgh, helped a client win local clinical registrant dispensary and grower/processor permits in a highly competitive application process that saw only one permit awarded in each locality.

  • South Dakota — Helped a client acquire local and state applications to become one of the first licensed dispensaries in the state. Submitted one of the only applications without a single deficiency. 

  • Utah — Helped a client win one of eight state medical cannabis cultivation licenses (81 applications were submitted), as well as a state medical cannabis processing license.

  • Virginia — Helped a client win a vertically integrated state medical cannabis license, when only five were awarded and 51 applications were submitted.

  • West Virginia — Helped a client win state cultivation and processing licenses, when only 10 of each license type were awarded and dozens of applications were submitted. Vicente LLP also helped a client win six of the initial 100 dispensary licenses awarded by the state. 

People

Associate Attorney

Data Analyst

Director of Licensing – Northeast Region

Chief Knowledge Officer

Senior Associate Attorney

Associate Attorney

Director of Regulatory Policy

Director of Licensing - California

Founding Partner

Associate Attorney

Director of Regulatory Compliance

Licensing Project Administrator

Licensing Project Manager

Licensing Specialist

Associate Attorney

Licensing & Economics Specialist

Vice President of Northeast Markets and Business Intelligence

Director of Licensing - Colorado

Technical Writer & Regulatory Analyst

Founding Partner

Licensing Specialist

Senior Project Manager – Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

News

Michelle Bodian Will Discuss Connecticut Cannabis Licensing and Regulatory Updates at Xpocanna Cannabis Convention

Mar 15, 2023

Are you ready to jump into the Connecticut cannabis market? Attend this Xpocanna session with Vicente partner Michelle Bodian on March 25 for reflections on the Nutmeg State’s 2022 licensing lottery process, guidance for applying in 2023, and insight into what’s might be coming during this year from the legislature, Dept of Consumer Protection, and the Social Equity Council.

Oregon Psilocybin Services Releases New Proposed Rules and Public Comment Period

By Yolanda Clarke, Jamie Greenwood
Nov 16, 2022

In another exciting step towards implementing psilocybin services, the Oregon Psilocybin Services Section issued updated proposed rules under the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act this month, making significant changes to the previous iteration. Make your voices heard! The public comment period is open through November 21, 2022.

Ocean State Cannabis Update: Municipal Approvals for Adult Use Retail in Rhode Island Provide Ample Opportunity for Interested Applicants

By Jen Flanagan, Sam Kovach-Orr, Meg Nash, Bridgette Nikisher
Nov 16, 2022

Widespread support for allowing cannabis retail sales in Rhode Island municipalities significantly expands opportunities for potential applicants seeking to obtain one of the 24 cannabis retail licenses expected to be available in 2023. Read this article for insight into what to expect next and how to prepare.

Tax Credits Available for Investing in Connecticut Cannabis Companies

By Michelle Bodian, Bridgette Nikisher
Nov 15, 2022

Who wants free money for investing in a Connecticut cannabis company? CT's Cannabis Angel Tax Credit Program provides a way for investors to receive a 25% tax credit against the state income tax when they invest at least $25k in an approved social equity cannabis licensee.

The Evolution of the Cannabis Industry in Massachusetts

By David Ullian, Jennifer Flanagan
Nov 2, 2022

This Bloomberg Law article by David Ullian and Jen Flanagan explores the evolution of the Massachusetts adult-use cannabis industry and how lawmakers, regulators, and industry advocates contributed to key recent legislative and regulatory developments.

New York Conditional Adult-use Cannabis Retail Dispensary Regulations Will Fast-track Licensing and Prioritize Justice Involved Individuals

By Michelle Bodian, Jennifer Cabrera, Bridgette Nikisher
Aug 16, 2022

On August 12, 2022, New York state announced the application window for Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary Licenses (CAURD), which will be the first batch of adult-use retail licenses released in New York. CAURD applications will be available starting August 25, 2022 and close on September 26, 2022.

How to Get Started on Your New York Cannabis Business License Application

By Brandon Kurtzman, Bridgette Nikisher
Jul 5, 2022

To beat the summer slump, VS’s New York team created an eight-part series of VS Insights to help you prepare for your New York cannabis business license application. Read the first article of the series, which focuses on helpful tips to put your best foot forward for the licensing process.

Mississippi Legalizes Medical Cannabis: Key Takeaways from the MMCA

By Sally Kent Peebles
Feb 3, 2022

The Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act (MMCA) is poised to achieve what no other southern state has yet to accomplish—the development of a refreshingly non-competitive licensed program that should allow for greater patient access and lower barriers to entry for those interested in participating in this exciting industry.

10 Updates on New York’s Cannabis Market

By Charles Alovisetti, Michelle Bodian, Brandon Kurtzman
Jan 18, 2022

While we still don’t have draft or final cannabis regulations, applications, or a definitive timetable, plenty of new information has come out since legalization. Read this article for ten key updates about New York’s market in the past year.

5 Years of Legal Cannabis in Massachusetts

By David M. Ullian, Gabriel Amatruda
Nov 8, 2021

Five years in, the Commonwealth has seen the most significant growth in both the number of cannabis businesses and sales, and the market continues to expand and provide new opportunities.

[Webinar] Cannabis Real Estate Considerations

Oct 12, 2021

Watch this recorded session where members of VS’s real estate practice discuss cannabis real estate issues, including lease considerations, financing, and local jurisdiction laws that may affect your business. 

Can't-miss Cannabis Business Opportunities in New and Growing Markets

By Jerrico Perez
Aug 21, 2020

Vicente Sedeberberg LLP continues to identify exclusive licensing opportunities for our clients. With more winning merit-based applications than any other law firm in the country, our team’s work ethic, dedication, and experience can help elevate your application above the competition.

Cannabis Business Licensing Opportunities Amidst COVID-19

By Jerrico Perez
May 13, 2020

Vicente Sedeberberg LLP continues to identify exclusive licensing opportunities for our clients. With more winning merit-based applications than any other law firm in the country, our team’s work ethic, dedication, and experience can help elevate your application above the competition.

Public Companies Can Now Own Cannabis Licenses in Colorado

By Charles Alovisetti, Jessica Scardina, Ben Leonard, Carl Werner, and Justin Johnson
Nov 18, 2019

HB-1090 is live and Colorado's cannabis industry is officially open to publicly-traded companies and out-of-state investors. Find out what we've learned so far about this brand-new system.

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