Colorado Marijuana Research License

What is a Marijuana Research License in Colorado?

A Colorado marijuana research and development license permits the holder to cultivate, possess, or transfer marijuana for limited research purposes. It is classified under medical marijuana business licenses issued in Colorado. The research purposes that makes an entity eligible for a marijuana research and development license in Colorado are:

• Testing of chemical potencies and composition levels of plant samples
• Conducting investigations on the clinical safety products derived from cannabis
• Determining the efficacy and safety of using marijuana as part of a medical treatment
• Conducting genomic, horticultural, and agricultural research on cannabis
• Conducting research on systems or products affiliated with cannabis

Marijuana research and development license holders in Colorado are statutorily allowed to grow marijuana (cultivators) or obtain it via donations or sales from another license holder. Marijuana research and development license holders are not permitted to obtain marijuana from other businesses or sell it to consumers. To qualify for a marijuana research and development license, the applicant must provide the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR) with a detailed description of the research being undertaken.

What Agency Reviews Marijuana Research License Applications in Colorado?

A marijuana research and development license is issued by the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED), a Specialized Business Group regulator of the Colorado Department of Revenue (CDOR). House Bill 17-1367, which came into effect on July 1, 2018, created the marijuana research and development license to facilitate more in-depth research into marijuana. The Bill also established the MED as the regulatory authority that oversees marijuana research and development licensing, in addition to the licensing of other marijuana businesses, in Colorado. Section 44-10-507 of the Colorado Revised Statutes regulate the issuance of marijuana research and development licenses to eligible applicants. As of early 2024, the Marijuana Enforcement Division has issued one marijuana research and development license in Colorado - MedPharm, a Denver-based medical marijuana company.

How To Apply For A Marijuana Research License in Colorado?

Applications for marijuana research licenses in Colorado are received and processed by the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED). To apply for a marijuana research license, the applicant must complete the Regulated Business License Application Form, including the Marijuana Research and Development Facility Addendum (Addendum D) section. Applicants must ensure to complete the accompanying forms for:

• Affirmation and consent
• Tax check authorization
• Investigation authorization/authorization to release information
• Applicant’s request to release information
• Affirmation of reasonable care

Applicants must also pay the application fee and any requisite local jurisdiction fees. (Information on any applicable local jurisdiction fees is contained in the application form). Successful applicants will be required to pay a license fee to receive their licenses. Licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually for the license holder to retain their statutory rights. Applicants must submit, as part of their applications, a detailed description of the research activities being conducted and detail their source of funds - private or public.

Applicants who intend to use public funds must submit their applications for a review by the Medical Marijuana Scientific Advisory Council. The Council shall assess the application to determine the project’s quality, study design, value, and/or impact on society. The Council shall also ascertain if the applicants possess the required personnel and expertise, facilities, infrastructure, funding, and approvals to conduct the research project. The Council shall pronounce if the quantity of cannabis to be grown for the project is consistent with the objectives. The Marijuana Scientific Advisory Council will also review all reports submitted by the license holder to determine if the project maintains the statutory research requirements. The Council will provide the Marijuana Enforcement Division with its conclusions which will affect any license renewal applications received by the Division. Applicants who intend to use private funding for their research projects are only required to submit their applications to the Marijuana Enforcement Division.

Applications for a Colorado marijuana research and development license can be submitted online, or by mail, or in person. Mail and in-person applications should be submitted to:

Marijuana Enforcement Division

ATTN: Business licensing

1707 Cole Boulevard

Suite 300

Lakewood, CO 80401

License holders are required to complete a renewal application before the expiration date of their previous license. Some legislative changes in 2019 eliminated the 90-day “grace period” previously allotted to license holders to submit their renewal applications. License holders must submit their renewal application forms, any supporting documents, and required fees to the Marijuana Enforcement Division. A license is rendered invalid if the holder fails to submit a completed renewal application prior to the expiry date of their previous license. Invalidated marijuana research and development licenses can neither be renewed nor reinstated; the license holder must submit a fresh application and fulfill all other obligations to regain their statutory rights.

How Much Does A Marijuana Research License Cost in Colorado?

The Marijuana Enforcement Division charges the following fees for a marijuana research and development facility license based on levels:

Application Fee:

• Level 1 - $2,440
• Level 2 - $3,680
• Level 3 - $4,880

Successful applicants must pay the following license fees before receiving their marijuana research and development licenses:

• Level 1 - $610
• Level 2 - $920
• Level 3 - $1,220

A Colorado marijuana research and development license is valid for one year and requires annual renewals. Renewal applications for marijuana research licenses must be submitted before the expiration date of the previous license. License renewal application costs a $1,840 fee that must be submitted with the application forms. A successful renewal applicant must pay a license renewal fee of $460 to receive their renewed licenses.

Can A Marijuana Research Licensee Hold Other Marijuana Licenses In Colorado?

There are no statutory restrictions that prevent a holder of a marijuana research and development license from possessing other marijuana business licenses. Holders of marijuana research and development licenses need only satisfy the statutory requirements to possess other marijuana business licenses.