Definition
In Florida, a medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC) license authorizes the license holder to cultivate, process, dispense, and deliver cannabis.
Cultivators, also commonly referred to as growers or producers, are responsible for growing cannabis. Once harvested, mature plants are transferred to processors.
Processors, also known as manufacturers, take harvested cannabis from cultivators and create derivative extracts for edibles, concentrates, topicals, and prepacks. Once finished, their products are transported to dispensaries.
Dispensaries sell cannabis and cannabis products in a legal, regulated setting.
Licensed MMTCs are vertically integrated and are the only businesses authorized to dispense medical marijuana and low-THC cannabis. Before operating, each MMTC must receive authorization at three stages: authorization to cultivate, authorization to process, and authorization to dispense.
Requirements
To apply for an MMTC license, an applicant must be at least 21 years old. Additionally, applicants must:
- Submit the fingerprints of each owner, board member, and manager of the MMTC, and prove that all have successfully passed a Level 2 Background Check.
- Submit a nonrefundable application fee.
- Have a nursery certificate of registration issued by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the cultivation of more than 400,000 plants, and proof that the nursery has operated in Florida for at least 30 continuous years.
- Possess the technical and technological ability to cultivate, process, and dispense cannabis.
- Be able to secure the premises, resources, and personnel necessary to operate.
- Demonstrate the financial ability to maintain operations.
- Employ a medical director who is licensed to supervise all activities.
- Be able to post a $5 million performance bond within 10 business days of application approval.
Process
Each person planning to serve as an employee, owner, board member, or manager of an MMTC applicant must first undergo a background check, submitting their fingerprints to a LiveScan service provider. After receipt of the background report, the Florida Department of Health (“department”) may request any additional information necessary to complete the screening process.
Next, the prospective MMTC must submit a completed application—physically or electronically—and pay a nonrefundable application fee. If their application is approved, the applicant has 10 business days to post a $5 million performance bond. This bond must be payable to the department, written by a licensed surety company, and written so that the nursery name on the bond corresponds exactly with the applicant’s name.
If the applicant fails to post the bond within the required timeframe, or if a bond is canceled and the applicant fails to file a new bond, their MMTC application approval will be revoked.
Submission of an MMTC application authorizes the department to enter and inspect the prospective facility at any reasonable time during the approval process. The inspectors may review the records required and identify samples of any cannabis or derivative product for laboratory analysis—the results of which will be forwarded to the department.
If the department identifies a violation during an inspection, the MMTC has 20 calendar days to write to the department and outline the corrective action(s) taken and the date of the correction.
The MMTC must request cultivation authorization within 75 days of application approval. No less than 30 calendar days prior to the initial cultivation of cannabis, the MMTC must notify the department that it is compliant and ready to begin cultivation.
No less than 10 calendar days prior to the initial processing of cannabis, the MMTC must notify the department that it is compliant and ready to begin processing.
An MMTC must begin dispensing derivative products within 210 days of cultivation authorization. No less than 10 calendar days prior to the initial dispensing of derivative products, the MMTC must notify the department that it is compliant and ready to begin dispensing.
Click here for a map of Dispensing Organizations.
What kind of tracking system do I need to operate a Dispensing Organization?
Most states require an extensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system to monitor cultivation and dispensing inventory. Our Dispensary Point of Sale provides comprehensive data tracking with an emphasis on compliance. Customized to meet the unique regulatory frameworks in each state, BioTrack also features an all-in-one business tool to help you operate every aspect of the cultivation business by itself, or as part of the vertically-integrated cannabis business.
Definition
The edibles food establishment permit allows medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) to manufacture and dispense edibles. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees and issues this permit.
In Florida, edibles are defined as commercially produced food items made with cannabis oil that are manufactured and dispensed by MMTCs.
Requirements
Only licensed MMTCs can apply for the edibles food establishment permit.
Before applying for the permit, the applicant should review the Food Establishment Minimum Construction Standards to verify that their facility meets all required regulations. Before beginning operations, all food establishments must also meet the training and process control requirements for the type of product and process they are conducting.
Process
The permit application must include a list of edibles to be produced, as well as documentation demonstrating an approved water and sewage (septic) system. Within two weeks of submitting an application, a field inspector will contact the applicant to schedule an on-site inspection.
Once the inspection is complete and an application is approved, the MMTC must pay all permit fees in order to receive its permit.
What kind of software do I need to operate these other business types?
Most states require dispensaries to track and trace all of their cannabis-related products for regulatory and compliance reporting requirements. Our cannabis POS and inventory management system provides comprehensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking with a focus on compliant data points. If your state requires seed-to-sale systems to stay compliant, BioTrack has you covered. Our system is customized to meet the unique regulatory frameworks in each and every state.
