Report: U.S. Cannabis License Application Rates Are Up For First Time In Two Years

The number of total approved and pending cannabis industry licenses in the U.S. increased during the second quarter of 2024 for the first time in two years, according to a CRB Monitor report.

Application numbers soared for many types of cannabis licenses during the quarter, including:

• Retail dispensary licenses, which increased 445% during Q2 2024.
• Cannabis manufacturing and processing licenses, which increased 119%.
• Wholesale and distribution licenses, which saw a significant 760% boost during the quarter.
• Cultivation licenses, which increased 13%.

Only applications for cannabis testing labs and delivery/transport services saw little change during the quarter.

The increase was driven by a surge in new license applications in states like Michigan, New Jersey, and New York. Michigan added nearly 600 new active licenses, increasing its total licensees by 17%, and New York added 221 new active licenses, increasing its total licensees by 48% (marking an 80% increase over the past 12 months), the report said. Additionally, Utah increased its number of active cannabis licenses by 109% during the quarter — Connecticut also increased its active licenses by 51%, New Jersey by 38%, and Illinois by 23%.

While license applications are up, however, Q2 2024 also saw a 2% decline in the total number of active cannabis licenses in the U.S. — the sixth straight quarter of fewer licensees, the report said. Some of the biggest licensing declines were in California (3%) and Oklahoma (10%) thanks to heightened regulations.