Requirements, Fees & Compliance for Florida Cannabis Distributors

In Florida, there is no separate “distribution license” for cannabis companies. Instead, businesses must obtain a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) license issued by the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). This vertically integrated license authorizes companies to cultivate, process, distribute, and dispense medical cannabis across the state.


Eligibility Requirements

Applicants for an MMTC license must meet several strict criteria:

  • Be registered to do business in Florida for at least five consecutive years.
  • Hold a valid certificate from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a nursery.
  • Demonstrate technical ability for cannabis cultivation and processing.
  • Operate facilities with adequate premises, security, and qualified personnel.
  • Implement detailed tracking and accountability procedures for all cannabis products.
  • Select locations that support reasonable statewide patient access.
  • Show strong financial stability through certified financial statements.
  • Ensure all owners, officers, board members, and managers pass Level 2 background checks.
  • Employ a licensed medical director.
  • Submit a diversity plan that outlines efforts to promote minority, veteran, and women participation.
  • Post a performance bond of $5 million (or $2 million for MMTCs serving at least 1,000 patients).


Application & Fees

  • The initial application fee is $146,000.
  • The biennial renewal fee is approximately $1.33 million.
  • Applicants must submit all materials to OMMU and await approval before posting the required bond.
  • License windows open periodically, tied to increases in Florida’s medical marijuana patient registry.


Distribution & Transportation Protocols

  • MMTCs must maintain a seed-to-sale tracking system for all cannabis movement.
  • Each delivery requires a transportation manifest detailing route, vehicle information, product type, and quantity.
  • The receiving party must sign the manifest, with copies kept on file for at least three years.
  • Transport may be conducted by MMTC employees or contracted carriers, and records must be provided to law enforcement upon request.


Vertical Integration & Restrictions

  • MMTCs are vertically integrated and must handle cultivation, processing, distribution, and retail internally.
  • Cannabis products generally cannot be bought from or sold to other MMTCs, except under specific circumstances like crop failure.
  • No separate transport-only license exists in Florida; distribution authority is part of the MMTC license.


Compliance & Oversight

  • MMTCs must adhere to Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 64-4.
  • Operations are subject to regular inspections, audits, and reporting requirements.
  • Compliance with local zoning and security requirements is mandatory before approval and during operations.


    Key Takeaways

    • The only license permitting cannabis distribution in Florida is the MMTC license.
    • Eligibility requires five years of Florida business operations, security protocols, technical and financial capacity, and workforce standards.
    • Fees include a $146,000 application fee and a $1.33 million biennial renewal fee.
    • A performance bond of $5 million (or $2 million for smaller MMTCs) is required.
    • Operations must follow strict seed-to-sale tracking and manifest protocols.
    • New licenses are awarded in phases, depending on growth in the qualified patient population.