Cannabis Event License: Everything You Need to Know

There’s a huge demand for specialty cannabis event licenses in Michigan, such as the temporary marijuana event license and marijuana event organizer license.

We receive many inquiries from potential clients, as well as current clients, about applying for a cannabis event license.

However, most don’t know that in order to legally host a cannabis event in Michigan, you need not one, not two; but a total of three (3) license approvals.

Below, we outline both state and municipal requirements, licensing fees, and how you can apply for a cannabis event license today.

Are you interested in applying for a cannabis event license? Do you need help navigating the specialty cannabis licenses process and identifying municipalities that allow them? Request a consultation now.

Types of Michigan Cannabis Event Licenses

There are two (2) Michigan event licenses, called:

• Temporary event license
• Event organizer license

Temporary event licenses are a specialty license type in the state of Michigan.

This means that it differs from the classic retail, processor, or grow licenses. 

These events can be held for as little as one (1) day or as long as seven (7) days.

However, it can’t exceed a full week.

If you wish to go longer than that, you’ll need to apply for another temporary event license.

In order to even apply for a temporary event license, an entity or individual must apply for and obtain an event organizer license. 

Watch the full episode on YouTube. Listen to full episode on Spotify.

Are you interested in applying for a marijuana event organizer license or a temporary marijuana event license? Do you need help navigating the specialty cannabis licenses process and identifying municipalities that allow them? Request a consultation now.

Application Process for Cannabis Event Licenses

Like traditional licenses (such as adult-use grow licenses), there’s a $3,000 application fee for these specialty event licenses.

Once licensed, there’s a $1,000 licensing fee by the state.

Additionally, the state must approve the license before applying for a municipal license. 

Then, the event organizer must approach a city that opted in to allow these types of events. 

Once you receive state approval, the state treats the specialty license temporary marijuana event just like a traditional license.

In other words, there’s a local municipal application you need to apply for.

You must complete that application in compliance with local laws and regulations.

Municipalities Opted-In

Currently, there are a limited number of Michigan municipalities that allow event licenses.

These are for a variety of reasons, such as they may be less than welcoming to cannabis consumption events.

However, the hope is that more cities will opt-in to cannabis event licenses in the near future, due to potential revenue from both the event and related tourism.

Are you interested in applying for a marijuana event organizer license or a temporary marijuana event license? Do you need help navigating the specialty cannabis licenses process and identifying municipalities that allow them? Request a consultation now.

Do I Have to Reside in Michigan to Host an Event?

While there are some residency restrictions for other license types (such as a microbusiness license), there are no residency requirements for event licenses.

Therefore, you can be an out-of-state company or entity to apply for an event organizer and temporary event license(s). 

Marijuana Event Organizer License

Since COVID restrictions are easing across the state, clients have told us they want to get away from virtual events and want to start in-person events.

While events are outdoors (like Hash Bash in Ann Arbor), this is a great way to sell your product and coordinate with other retailers to host a cannabis event.

Again, in order to host an event, you need to get an event organizer license.

This license is valid for one (1) year. 

Therefore, after each year, regardless if you hosted an event or not, you need to renew your license for a $1,000 fee. 

Watch the full episode on YouTube. Listen to full episode on Spotify.

Are you interested in applying for a marijuana event organizer license or a temporary marijuana event license? Do you need help navigating the specialty cannabis licenses process and identifying municipalities that allow them? Request a consultation now.

Temporary Marijuana Event License

The event organizer license is the prerequisite before getting a temporary event license.

This license is specific to the municipality.

Therefore, meeting municipal requirements is extremely important for this license.

Municipal applications for temporary event licenses have extremely detailed applications.

They typically require a site plan, employee and volunteer protocols, fire escape plan, and much more. 

For instance, you must clearly mark exits and entrances to ensure that only allowed participants are in the event.

Namely, the allowed participants are people of the age 21 and up. 

Are you interested in applying for a marijuana event organizer license or a temporary marijuana event license? Do you need help navigating the specialty cannabis licenses process and identifying municipalities that allow them? Request a consultation now.

I Want to Host an Event Next Month. Can I Apply Now?

A lot of our clients call us to ask this exact question. 

However, under state law, you must submit the state application no later than 90 days before the first day of your event. 

This doesn’t even take into account municipal requirements for their application time-windows. 

So, unfortunately, if you wanted to hold your event next month, that’s a little too quick.

Event Fees

In addition to application and licensing fees, there’s also daily fee(s) if there are cannabis sales during the event.

This is an additional $500 per licensed retailer who’s selling their product, with an additional $500 daily event fee. 

If there are no cannabis sales, you still need to pay a $500 daily event fee.

Are you interested in applying for a marijuana event organizer license or a temporary marijuana event license? Do you need help navigating the specialty cannabis licenses process and identifying municipalities that allow them? Request a consultation now.

Consumption and Retail Sales at Event

Clients often ask; do I have to offer consumption spots or sell at a temporary cannabis event? 

The answer is no; while you can do this, you don’t have to.

Most of the time, however, these events allow attendees to consume cannabis on-site, and also invite retailers to sell their product.

The responsibility of event organization, vendor coordination, event security, the disposal of any product that’s consumed on-site, and more falls on the licensee.

This includes the license holder of the temporary event license and also the event organizer.

Watch the full episode on YouTube. Listen to full episode on Spotify.

Are you interested in applying for a marijuana event organizer license or a temporary marijuana event license? Do you need help navigating the specialty cannabis licenses process and identifying municipalities that allow them? Request a consultation now.

Apply for a Cannabis Event License

These cannabis event licenses are not just simply obtaining municipal approval. 

There’s both a state process and a local municipal application process.

Due to various state and local regulations, both of these application processes are lengthy and time-consuming.

Additionally, you need expert guidance to build your brand, market, and coordinate with potential vendors to have a successful event.

With only outdoor events permitted and springtime coming in the next six (6) months, this is the perfect time to consult with an experienced and proven cannabis attorney.

This is so you can begin the application process for the cannabis event license(s) and organize your event now.

Are you interested in applying for a marijuana event organizer license or a temporary marijuana event license? Do you need help navigating the specialty cannabis licenses process and identifying municipalities that allow them? Request a consultation now.