How to get a Marijuana Business License in Michigan You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. Instead, MRAs main focus appears to be on taxes, business litigation, regulatory history, and bankruptcy. The more detailed the plan can be, the better it is for your overall strategic planning. A great business plan should chart the path of your company from infancy to success while being able to attract investors to provide financing. The cottage food rules have allowed farmers to sell from their homes, future restaurant owners to start from home, future food cart operators and food truck owners to all start from their own home kitchens. on the strength of its cost of living and housing affordability, both of which are top ten in the nation. P.O. The edibles market alone is responsible for nearly $10 billion of the profits earned in the marijuana industry for 2017. (2020, January 3) Maine Cannabis Regulations: License Applications, Forms, Links and Other Resources. The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency, or MRA, is tasked with overseeing cannabis business licensing. This should include your plans for recordkeeping, security, advertising, staffing, and others. This demonstrates that Michigan has worked hard to be a small business-friendly state and that it is a good time to launch your business. Depending on your business type, you may be required to obtain one or more business insurance policies. Thus, even if you find a property in a municipality that allows cannabis and is properly zoned, you also need to make sure the municipality is actually accepting applications for your license type. If every serving contains maximum allowed 10 mg of THC, you can make 560 edibles. Unlike other states such as Illinois or Florida, Michigan doesnt put limits on the number of state cannabis licenses that can be issued. Individual listings provide a brief bio including professional history, a sum of total investments, and areas of interest. As with many other licensed businesses you should complete any application for a marijuana license in the entities name. An unofficial list of municipalities that allow cannabis businesses can be found here. Michigan is on the cusp of a burgeoning marijuana industry. Similarly, Love's Oven started in 2009 and just moved into an 8,500-sq-ft facility in April 2015 to handle the growth it has experienced. Social media and other digital outlets will be key then (including advertising with PotGuide, if thats something your business is interested in). You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business. Known throughout the world as a top producer of dry edible beans, the Great Lakes State works hard to grow and market beans that reflect the place from which they come and the passionate commitment of the . You will have to file an Articles of Organization to the state which is your official application for forming an LLC. A retail dispensary with little to no foot or car traffic is likely to struggle, and a building not well-suited for cultivation can increase your build out and equipment costs and dampen your yields well into the future. See also: How to Start an Edible Business in Michigan. 14 things to know if you want to start a marijuana business in Michigan Design the website and fill it with content. Legal Cannabis Business Nevada, cannabusinessplans.com Then you can move on to filing the necessary documents to register your business with the Michigan state government. In this article, we will walk you through the steps you need to take in order to start a legal Michigan marijuana business. Past performance is not indicative of future results. A broad directory of nearly 5,000 angels seeking funding opportunities in the Great Lakes State. 1. Step 3. Google Workspace helps with email addresses, team collaboration, productivity, and more. An overview of your business and why it will be successful, Explain the advantages of your business and the problems it solves, Provide research on your industry, target market, and potential competitors, Detail the nuts and bolts of your business; how its structured and who will run it, Explain your strategy for attracting customers, The money youll need in the next five years to grow your business and how youll spend it, Data and balance sheets providing a financial forecast for your business. Marijuana Regulatory Agency - SOM - State of Michigan Next, perform a search to see that your businesss name is available for use in the state. However, some tips on how to start an edible business in Michigan include research the laws and regulations related to edible businesses in Michigan, finding a good location for your business, and sourcing quality ingredients. The MMFLA, on the other hand, allow for the licensing of medical marijuana businesses and allows dispensaries to sell to any registered patient, including out-of-state patients in some cases. IF YOU WANT TO START A MARIJUANA BUSINESS IN MICHIGAN - Komorn Law Some states equity laws allow for granting licenses to parties with past cannabis convictions. What this boils down to is whether you have a history of paying your taxes, whether you have any outstanding tax liens or deficiencies, whether youve had issues with other governmental licenses, and whether youve engaged in unethical business practices such as refusing to pay money you owe or engaging in fraudulent activities. Most municipalities will cap the number of dispensary (also referred to provisioning center and retailer) licenses they allow, though some also cap the number of growers, processers, and other license types. Source: michigan-edibles. Just dont fall into the trap of thinking it will be a walk in the park. Plant-touching is industry lingo that refers to a business that, you guessed it, actually touches the marijuana plant. To date, the group has invested nearly $30 million in Michigan businesses. Get Mushroom Farm Insurance. The limit applies to the amount of THC . Taking into account the effects of 280E when structuring your business is highly recommended and can be the difference between turning a profit or suffering a loss. She is passionate about economic development and is on the board of two non-profit organizations seeking to revitalize her former railroad town. Three Oaks, Michigan. Its a common misconception that the cannabis industry is an all cash business. All of these details should be outlined in your business plan, which is an internal document that you refer back to regularly and use to help secure funding for your business. So youve decided you want to enter the Michigan cannabis industry. Figure out where youre sourcing cannabis for your products and what that entails. As if requirements surrounding licensing werent enough, get ready, there are more hoops to jump through regarding compliance around packaging and advertising. In Michigan, if you have three or more employees at any time, or one employee working at least 35 hours per week for 13 weeks or longer in the past 52 weeks, you will be required to obtain workers compensation insurance. Built for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers. How to Start a Cannabis Business in Michigan - The Right Way If your business sells any type of product or offers certain services, you may be required to get a sales tax license from the Michigan Treasury Department. For cannabis entrepreneurs, that usually means they either need to self-fund their business, bring on investors or obtain financing from a private, non-bank institutional lender. "We posted as much in January of 2014 in sales as we did in all of 2013 . When building your budget, that means remembering to account for sufficient operating capital to allow you to survive until you reach the point of profitability. These include a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration, taking out a loan from a commercial bank, launching an equity crowdfunding campaign, or securing funding from an angel investor or venture capitalist group active in Michigan. Will nearby competitors take a share of your potential profits? There are a lot of steps involved in starting your business. In this article, we break down what is required of someone who wants to start their journey into the edible industry. Taxwise, they operate more like a sole proprietorship. to fill out, notarize, and submit an assumed name certificate. Samantha Smith is a journalist, medical cannabis patient and cannabis advocate. ; Health care and social assistance is the leading small business employer industry, followed by manufacturing, and accommodation, and food services. You will also need to submit to inspection by MRA as well as the Bureau of Fire Services, or BFS. Once your Step 2 packet is approved, and you have passed MRA and BFS inspection, the last step in the process is to pay the licensing assessment fee, which varies by license type. Reference the following basic steps when starting your marijuana business: Write a Business Plan: The business plan outlines your company's goals, startup costs, timelines and milestones, finances, and other key information. Starting a Cannabis-Related Business - Chicago Before forming your business, you want to first put together a solid cannabis business plan with a start-up budget and pro forma numbers. I work with several such companies, and let me tell you, its much easier said than done, but that doesnt mean its not possible. Marijuana Edibles Business Plan [Sample Template - ProfitableVenture Cannabis cultivation facility, initial issuance - 30,000; renewal - 10,000. Mushroom Farming Business Plan: How To Start a Mushroom Business - GroCycle Instead, they have licensing / white labeling agreements with a Michigan licensed cannabis processor to manufacture their products. The process varies depending on whether you plan to run a sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation. QuickBooks keeps everything organized in one place. Visit, for more information on the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) and head to the. Other state and federal licensing might require you to have certain insurance policies. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/DFDCS/MCSB/CDPH%20Document%20Library/AnnualApp_Checklist.pdf, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The State of Illinois controls the licensure process for cannabis businesses. Sources: Tax Foundation, Kauffman, U.S. Census Bureau: Statistics of U.S. How to Start a Mushroom Farm | TRUiC Alaska's online application for a marijuana business license became available on February 24, 2016. Start an edible cookie dough cafe by following these 10 steps: Plan your Edible Cookie Dough Cafe. Currently, she is the Marketing and Communications Manager at The Green Door, a medical & recreational dispensary in Bangor, and Baldwin, Michigan. The paperwork may prove a hassle, but its a necessary ordeal that will protect you from fines, lawsuits, and other legal hazards. Whether you intend to run a day care service out of your house or build a small manufacturing facility, you need insurance for your company. In fact 82% of businesses that fail do so because of a lack of cash flow. Similar articles. I constantly deal with last minute client emergencies, not to mention a constant stream of late night and weekend calls, texts, and emails. Top 6 Edible Wild Mushrooms in Michigan - Foodies Family Whether you are new to gardening or a veteran, our vegetable gardening tip sheet will help you be successful from planting to harvest. It is therefore a good idea to shop around and find the bank or credit union that is best for your situation. No matter what type of business you form, buying insurance coverage to protect yourself in the case of property damage or legal action is a good idea. That means that anyone who can pass the states background check and obtain a municipally licensed property can receive an MMFLA or MRTMA cannabis license. Consider how the business will be funded. Smaller startups usually opt to pursue funding from angel investors. If you have partners, how are major decisions going to be made? Currently accepting applications from startups in the health, energy, tech, software, and mobile fields. Edible Michiana 1. Selecting the wrong property can tank even the best of business plans. Whats the best tax status for your business? Identify your brand positioning and create a list of your ideal consumers. Northwest can help. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. There are 3 main options to decide from: Nowadays, LLCs are the option of choice for small business owners as they are easy to manage and provide the benefits of a corporation while lacking their complex structure. While each situation is different, we recommend you talk to a Michigan cannabis licensing attorney before submitting your MMFLA or MRTMA prequalification. You need to make sure that you have enough capital to ride out the initial months or years of business when you are developing your brand and starting to make money. Your business plan ought to include the following sections: Every business needs money to get off the ground. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card. The market is big enough for there to be numerous profitable and successful companies in your niche, whether thats cultivation, branded products, or professional services. Sess. 500 Temple Street, Suite 2M Detroit, MI 48201. For example, in California State, you need to structure your marijuana business as a not for profit business corporation, but in Montana or Colorado this is not necessary. Bluehost will get you up and running with a professional website and tailored hosting plan, Best PEO Companies for Business (Recommended 2022), Entrepreneurs planning to launch a company in Michigan will find conditions that are in their favor: the state offers one of the most business-friendly tax climates, in addition to an affordable cost of living. The stakes are high, and the competition can be fierce. The form of business entity you choose will affect many factors going forward. Is Weed Legal in Michigan? - Michigan Edibles to help fill out your team. Regulations for licensing any type of cannabis business may vary, but here were going to focus on obtaining a processing license. ; 1.8 million Michigan residents are employed by small businesses, which is 49.2% of the state's workforce. Currently, Health Canada offers two variations of the Processing licence; Standard Processing and Micro-Processing. https://www.viridiansciences.com/blog/maine-cannabis-regulations-license-applications-forms-links-and-other-resources. You can sell those same mushrooms for $12 to $20 per pound (3.20 to 5.50 per kilo). It takes you from hiring a lawyer who specializes in Michigan's cannabis laws & regulations to help . Alex Poulos, a 22-year-old college student in Detroit, launched CannaMich, a business in the midst of applying to be a limited-liability company that delivers T-shirts within 15 miles of downtown . This will ensure your company is properly structured and protected from the beginning. 2. The filing fee is $10 dollars, plus an additional fee ranging from $50 to $500 depending on how many authorized shares your company has. Start with just a few items and then grow your business as your popularity grows. You can purchase the property or lease it. Reviews on Best Marijuana Edibles in Boston, MA - Cannabist Boston, Pure Oasis, Ayr Back Bay Recreational Use Cannabis Dispensary, Ethos Watertown - Adult Use and Medical Cannabis Dispensary, Mission Dispensaries, New England Treatment Access, Happy Valley - Boston, CED Clinic, Revolutionary Clinics, Garden Remedies - Newton Between January 2020 and January 2022, Michigan saw a 24% small business revenue increase compared to 6.9% for the rest of the country. NJ legal weed: Edibles like brownies, cookies - Asbury Park Press After 30 days, you will not be allowed to buy any more. And like everything else, these rules vary from state to state. For LLCs, LPs, LLPs and corporations, youll need to file articles of organization, certificate of partnership, application to register an LLP or articles of incorporation with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), respectively. Step 5: Identifying and Municipally Licensing Your Cannabis Real Estate in Michigan. 2019) https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors475B.html, Comprehensive Cannabis Consulting. 10 Marijuana Businesses Ideas You Can Start Under $1000 Provides short-term benefits for employees suffering an illness or injury. this takes place in the open air but under a roof. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? The best advice I can give is to do your homework, choose carefully, and choose wisely. Start the licensing process and know cannabis kitchen regulations. Most users do not feel any intoxication at this dose. Annual License Application Checklist For Cannabis Manufacturers.Cannabis.ca.gov. For example, if you have a marijuana dispensary, you will be required to obtain a Medical Marijuana Facilities License for a retailer, which has a $3,000 application fee, a $15,000 licensure fee and an annual $15,000 fee. Her work has been published on Leafly and in Pet Lifestyles Magazine. The filing fee is $10 dollars, plus an additional fee ranging from $50 to $500 depending on how many authorized shares your company has. 1. Uduak Eyo is a law clerk for Scott F. Roberts Law, a boutique business and real estate law firm focusing on the medical marijuana and hemp industries. Instead, you will need an attorney with corporate formation, structuring, real estate and contracting experience who also has experience representing cannabis businesses. Even if you are self-funding and dont need investors or financing, it is still a good idea to put your business plan to paper and fully flesh out your business model. You want to keep your personal finances separate from your business finances to prevent commingling, which reduces your liability protection from the business structure. By Cody. Dont register your company until you have chosen an entity or business structure. Once you have an idea, its time to put it through the wringer and decide if its viable in the market. Every single cannabis company I represent, including both plant-touching and non-plant touching, has a bank account and access to most insurance products. There are thousands of opportunities to break into the Michigan cannabis industry via ancillary services and products. How to Open a Marijuana Dispensary in Michigan - Findlaw Cannabis Market Taxation and Regulatory Compliance Analysis Grant Program. How Do I Start An Edible Business In Michigan? The cost for start-up inventory (fresh and dried marijuana, cannabis-infused drink and food and alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks) - $20,027. There are three main marijuana lawsthe Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, or MMMA; the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, or MMFLA; and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, or MRTMA. The MMMA authorizes caregivers to grow up to 12 plants per registered patient, for a maximum of 72 plants, but does not authorize the sale of marijuana except to the caregivers registered patients. The application fees are around $6,000. Congratulations to Marjorie Harvey for her 3rd place on the Best Cannabis Chef in Michigan 2021 poll! Each state has its own laws and taxes regarding businesses. Check here for more information on filing fees. If you enjoy baking and want to get creative in the kitchen, this could be a fun business opportunity for you. Retrieved July 22, 2021, from https://www.3ccannabis.com/2020/01/2020-maine-recreational-marijuana-establishment-licensing, LaVia. Some of them are Morel mushrooms, Oyster mushrooms, Chanterelle mushrooms, Maitake, and a host of others. Covers losses as a result of property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, and negligence claims. She is also a brand ambassador for Paw-able cbd pet treats. Before getting started, it its important to talk about what laws actually govern legal cannabis businesses in Michigan. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. Taking a Closer Look at Michigan's Dry Beans | USDA This could be a big cost if something goes wrong. Forming a business entity doesnt cost a lot, making it easy to start your business. 8. On our small mushroom farm, we've been able to generate more than $200,000 (approximately 150,000) in sales per year. Its also a wise idea to obtain a credit card for your business because it will help you isolate business expenses and build up credit for your company, which may help in securing investment in later stages. SEO BY MI CANNA MARKETING, Mr. Roberts is the founder and managing member of Scott Roberts Law, a Detroit-based. Edibles Dosage Chart by mg of THC | Leafly You will use this number to establish bank accounts, unemployment accounts and tax accounts with the state and federal governments. You can also purchase the property on a land contract, which is generally referred to in the industry as terms. Unlike other industries, land contracts are wildly popular in the cannabis industry, given the lack of banking and lending options for cannabis businesses. You need a state license to do business. You may want to consult with an attorney to help decide which entity works best for your business. Along the way, there are likely to be many quirks and headaches unique to the area youre looking to open your business in, and in every case the best defense is to be prepared and stay flexible. Register your business. For this reason, many new cannabis businesses prefer to start small and then gradually scale up by reinvesting their profits back in the business. Hopefully this will change, and loan programs like the SBA will start allowing loans to cannabis businesses, but until that time, obtaining financing for your business is no easy task. Colorado Cannabis Dispensary Laws & Licensing Info (2021) - Cova Software Michigan cannabis voters swarmed the booths and approved Ballot Proposal 18-1. One thing that the pandemic did was give us all a lot of time in the kitchen. 870,301 small businesses operate in Michigan, accounting for 99.6% of Michigan businesses. What you will need is an lawyer with experience in negotiating cannabis licensing and white label deals, some start-up capital, and a very persuasive business plan or pitch deck. A business plan The Pros And Cons Of Renting Your Warehouse To A Cannabis Company For plant touching companies, maintaining compliance with the ever-changing regulations and guidance applicable to the Michigan cannabis industry is tough. MRA recommends waiting until you are less than sixty days from being fully built out for operations before applying for the Step 2 or Part 2 cannabis facility licensing step with the state. After settling on an entity, you can register your business with the state of Michigan. The business plan is also useful when speaking with investors about your business idea. You will face obstacle after obstacle. Corporations Division August 2021 (updated). Which product or service can your business provide that doesnt already exist on the market? Maybe you are an accountant, insurance agent, real estate broker, general contractor, or have some other professional skill that can be easily translated into the industry. When a business is in its infancy, a low tax burden and manageable expenses can be major factors in its survival. Culinary Cannabis. Think about where you want your kitchen to be, and understand the rules and regulations of potential municipalities. And now the fun begins! STEP 3: Register for taxes. When a business is in its infancy, a low tax burden and manageable expenses can be major factors in its survival. This guide will help you find out how to start a business in Michigan.