Apply for a cannabis licence: Cultivation, processing and sale for medical purposes licence

You'll need to use your individual user CTLS account to create a new licence application. Once you open a new licence application, select cannabis as your licence class on the "Licence Class" page of the CTLS.

Follow the steps below on the "Licence ownership" page of the CTLS.

1. In the "Licence holder" section of the CTLS, select to apply for a cannabis licence as an individual.
2. In the "Responsible person" section of the CTLS, enter the CTLS Account IDs of your responsible person and their alternate, if applicable.

Any applicant that's a partnership, cooperative, or corporation needs to have a corporate profile in the CTLS.

The person who creates the corporate profile is the owner of that account (administrative authority). They'll be the only one who can:

• view the corporate profile and make changes to it
• create a new licence application

If the owner of the corporate profile is no longer available, you can transfer the corporate profile to another person. For more information on how to do this, email cannabis@hc-sc.gc.ca.

5.2.1 If you already have an existing corporate profile

The owner of the corporate profile will need to follow the steps below.

1. Create a new licence application.
2. Select cannabis as your licence class on the "Licence Class" page of the CTLS.
3. On the "Licence ownership" page of the CTLS
   • In the "Licence holder" section, select to apply for a cannabis licence as a corporation
   • In the "Responsible person" section, enter the CTLS Account IDs of the responsible person and their alternate, if applicable. The responsible person can also be the same person who creates the corporate profile

5.2.2 If you don't have a corporate profile

You'll need to use your individual user account to create a new corporate profile.

Follow the steps below on the "Corporate Profiles" page in the CTLS.

1. Create a new corporate profile
2. Once on the "Create Corporate Profile" page in the CTLS, submit the following information
   • Language preference
     • English or French
   • Legal name
     • Full legal name of the organization, including any operating names to be used. For example, Legal corporation name d.b.a. Other name
   • Other registered names (this name will not appear on your licence)
     • Any other names registered federally or provincially under which you intend to do business, if applicable
     • Indicate that you're a cooperative or a partnership, if applicable
   • Incorporation number
     • As provided on the certificate of incorporation
     • If there isn't an identification number, write "N/A"
   • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) cannabis licence number
     • Indicate your CRA licence number if you have an existing Health Canada cannabis licence under the same name
     • Leave this section blank if you're a new applicant

     Note: The CRA issues a cannabis licence only after you've received a cannabis licence from Health Canada. If you don't have a CRA cannabis licence, you may need to apply for one.

   • CRA business number, if applicable
   • Organization's phone number, fax, email and website
   • Parent (owning) corporation
     • CTLS Account ID of any controlling organization, if applicable.
   • Business address
     • For correspondence with your organization (such as the head office and not the applicant's address)
   • Mailing address:
     • If it's the same as your business address, check the box "same for mailing address" box
     • If it's not the same as your business address, uncheck the "same for mailing address" box and add it

     Important: At this point, save your corporate profile. If not, some of the sections won't appear later on in the CTLS.

   • Certificate of incorporation or business registration document
     • If you're a corporation, upload a copy of your certificate of incorporation
     • If you're a cooperative or a partnership, upload a copy of your business name registration or partnership agreement
   • Corporate organizational chart
     • This is a required section in the CTLS, but is not required for your application. Submit a blank document
   • Personnel
     • Add all directors, officers and partners using their CTLS account IDs. Partners need to have "officer" as their role

The owner of the corporate profile will need to follow these steps.

1. Create a new licence application
2. Select cannabis as your licence class on the "Licence Class" page of the CTLS
3. On the "Licence ownership" page of the CTLS:
   • in the "Licence holder" section, select to apply for a cannabis licence as a corporation
   • in the "Responsible person" section, enter the CTLS Account IDs of the responsible person and their alternate, if applicable. The responsible person can be the same person who creates the corporate profile

6.1.1 Your identified people submit their security clearance applications

The identified people should submit their security clearance applications, if applicable, no more than 1 month before you submit your licence application. Identified people should avoid submitting their security application too far in advance, as it can become outdated and cause delays in processing. The security clearance applications will not be processed until they are linked to a licence application, the licence application has been submitted and all applicable fees have been paid.

6.1.2 Submit information in the CTLS

This section describes how to submit the prepared information in the CTLS. As you go through the application sections, try to fill out each section and save your progress whenever possible before starting the next. If not, some fields and information might not appear, depending on your prior selections. Depending on the licences you're applying for, there's different information you'll need to submit.

6.1.2.1 Mailing address page

Enter your mailing address. It needs to be the Canadian address where you'd like to receive mailed correspondence.

6.1.2.2 Classes and subclasses page

Classes and subclasses section

Select the licences you're applying for. You can only combine certain licences on the same site.

For cannabis cultivation licences: Source of starting material section

This section will only show up in the CTLS for micro-cultivation, nursery and standard cultivation licences, and after you've selected "Cannabis cultivation" in the "Classes and subclasses" section.

In this section of the CTLS, select the source of your starting materials.

• If you don't know the source when you apply, you can submit this later
• If you know the source, specify if you'll be receiving it from either:
  • cannabis licence holders
  • through a declaration under subsection 10(2) of the Cannabis Regulations. If you select this option, upload a copy of your declaration. You need to do this if you'll be receiving starting materials from both cannabis licence holders and through a declaration under subsection 10(2) of the Cannabis Regulations

6.1.2.3 Site details page

Site address section

Enter your Canadian address, with its latitude and longitude. The latitude and longitude need to have 6 digits after the decimal point (for example, latitude: 45.423248; longitude: -75.698501).

Site survey section

Upload:

• if your site has multiple addresses, a document listing all addresses
• information about any Health Canada licences and authorizations

Aerial view section

Upload a clear and legible aerial view of the proposed site and surrounding area.

Areas section

For micro-cultivation, nursery and standard cultivation licences: Outdoor areas

Enter the name of each of your outdoor areas where you'll grow (cultivate) cannabis, if applicable.

Indoor areas (building or part of building) section

Add all rooms where there will be cannabis activities. Enter the name of each indoor area (buildings or part of a building). In each indoor area, enter information for each room: name of the room and cannabis activities. Choose all that apply.

• Operations area (cultivation): for example, growing (cultivating) and harvesting cannabis
• Operations area (non-cultivation): for example, drying, trimming, packaging and labelling cannabis
• Sales area (with possession): for example, shipping area and shipping office
• Sales area (without possession): for example, call service office
• Storage area
• Testing area: for example, a laboratory used for testing microbial limits in cannabis for internal purposes

For sale for medical purposes with possession of cannabis licences: You need have at least 1 room with "Sale with possession of cannabis" selected in order to open other required pages in the CTLS.

6.1.2.4 Site personnel page

Personnel section

Only the responsible person can add key site personnel to your licence.

Add all your key site personnel. Enter their CTLS Account IDs and select their roles (all that apply). Include the following key site personnel.

• Head of security and alternate
• Master grower and alternate, if applicable
• Quality assurance person (QAP) and alternates, if applicable

For processing licences: Quality assurance person qualifications section

This section of the CTLS only applies to micro-processing and standard processing licences. The "Quality assurance person qualifications" section will only appear after you've selected "Cannabis processing" in the "Classes and subclasses" section. In this section, upload the following documents for your quality assurance person (QAP) and alternates (if applicable):

• Qualifications of the proposed quality assurance person (QAP) or alternate for a processing licence form filled out
• proposed QAP's resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• copies of degrees or diplomas supporting formal education relevant to QAP responsibilities
• supporting documents

6.1.2.5 Site ownership page

Choose 1 of the 2 options depending on the site ownership.

• If the applicant (individual or organization) owns the site, fill out the "Site owners" section.
  • Add either your own CTLS Account ID or the corporate profile's CTLS Account ID.

• If other individuals or organizations own the site, fill out the "Consent" section.
  • Upload a Site owner consent form filled out by each of the site owners.

6.1.2.6 Notices to local authorities page

Enter information about the 3 local authorities you've contacted. This includes:

• date of when you sent the notice
• name of the local authority
• senior official contacted, including their:
  • name
  • title
  • phone number
  • email
  • address

Local authority notice section

Upload copies of the notices that were sent to:

• local police force or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment (RCMP)
• fire authority
• local government (such as municipality)

6.1.2.7 Physical security page

Organizational security plan section

Upload your organizational security plan (OSP) and all related documents.

6.1.2.8 Good production practices page

Good production practices report section

Upload:

• for all licences:
  • your Good production practices report
• for micro-processing and standard processing licences:
  • a filled out Good production practices attestation

6.1.2.9 Record keeping page

Record keeping description section

Upload:

• a filled out Record keeping attestation
• a document with your list of associated individuals requiring security clearances, if applicable

Record keeping examples section

For sale for medical purposes licences, upload documents containing the description of your proposed record keeping methods.

6.1.2.10 Key investor report page

Key investor report section

Choose 1 of the 2 options.

1. If you don't trade your shares on a public (published) market and have key investors, upload a key investor report.
2. If you trade your shares on a public (published) market or don't have key investors, upload an attestation that indicates your situation.

6.1.2.11 Self-identification page

You need to fill out this page whether or not you choose to self-identify as Indigenous affiliated.

If you choose to self-identify

1. Select "yes" if you choose to self-identify as Indigenous affiliated.
   • Select "First Nations", "Inuit" or "Métis" depending on which Indigenous group you identify with.
   • Explain how your application is Indigenous affiliated.
2. Select "yes" if you want to apply for a 2-stage review and access support from the Navigator services.

If you don't choose to self-identify

Select "no" if you don't self-identify as Indigenous affiliated.

6.1.2.12 Associated individuals page

Only the responsible person can add associated individuals to your licence. Enter the associated individuals' CTLS Account IDs and select their roles (all that apply), if applicable. Their roles can be:

• consent to communicate
• reporter
• responsible for finance
• individual requiring a security clearance

6.1.2.13 Submission page

Your responsible person needs to:

• electronically declare and attest to the attestations
• submit your licence application

Once your licence application is submitted, it will appear in the "Submitted Licence Applications" section of the CTLS. After you've submitted your application, you can only do minor changes without having to withdraw your application.

6.1.3 Submit your site evidence package

This section describes how to submit the information you've prepared for your site evidence package.

Health Canada needs to receive your site evidence package within 10 business days of the licence application submission in the CTLS. If not, Health Canada will consider your application incomplete (missing information), which may cause the refusal of your application.

Due to the large file sizes, you'll need to submit your site evidence package using 1 of the 2 options: electronic file transfer or USB storage device. Health Canada won't accept CD ROM storage or any other cloud storage hosting services.

6.1.3.1 Electronic file transfer

This is the preferred method, as it cuts out transit delays. After you've submitted your licence application in the CTLS, Health Canada will email the responsible person with instructions. The email:

• can take up to 3 business days to be sent
• will have a unique and secure link in which you can upload the site evidence package directly. Compress or zip all files into a single file for uploading

6.1.3.2 USB storage device

USB storage devices are sent by mail to Health Canada. Health Canada won't return the USB back to you. After you've submitted your licence application in the CTLS, you'll need to:

• upload the site evidence package onto a USB storage device
• physically identify your USB storage device with your Licence application ID. If you don't properly identify your USB storage device, it could delay the review process or Health Canada could refuse your application
• send the USB storage device containing your site evidence package to:

  Licensing and Medical Access Directorate
  Health Canada
  Address Locator: 0301F
  Ottawa ON K1A 0K9

• if you're using a courier service, email the tracking number to licensing-cannabis-licences@hc-sc.gc.ca. The subject line should be, "Site Evidence Package for APP #"

Refer to After submitting your licence application for next steps in the application process.

6.2.1 Your identified people submit their security clearance applications

The identified people should submit their security clearance applications, if applicable, no more than 1 month before you submit your licence application. Identified people should avoid submitting their security application too far in advance, as it can become outdated and cause delays in processing.

6.2.2 Submit information in the CTLS

This section describes how to submit the prepared information in the CTLS. As you go through the application sections, try to fill out each section and save your progress whenever possible before starting the next. If not, some fields and information might not appear, depending on your prior selections. Depending on the licences you're applying for, there's different information you'll need to submit.

6.2.2.1 Mailing address page

Enter your mailing address. It needs to be the Canadian address where you'd like to receive mailed correspondence.

6.2.2.2 Classes and subclasses page

Classes and subclasses section

Select "Federal sale for medical purposes". You can only combine certain licences on the same site.

6.2.2.3 Site details page

Site address section

Enter your Canadian address, with its latitude and longitude. The latitude and longitude need to have 6 digits after the decimal point (for example, latitude: 45.423248; longitude: -75.698501.

Site survey section

Upload:

• if your site has multiple addresses, a document listing all addresses
• information about any Health Canada licences and authorizations
• site plan
• floor plans for each building where the sale of cannabis (without possession) activities will take place

Aerial view section

Upload a clear and legible aerial view of the proposed site and surrounding area.

Areas section

Indoor areas (building or part of building)

Add all rooms where there will be sale of cannabis activities. Enter the name of each indoor area (building or part of a building). In each indoor area, enter information for each room: name of the room, and select "Sales area (without possession)".

6.2.2.4 Site personnel page

Personnel section

Only the responsible person can add key site personnel to your licence.

Add your head of security and alternate. Enter their CTLS Account IDs and select their role.

6.2.2.5 Physical security page

Organizational security plan section

Upload your organizational security plan (OSP) and all related documents.

6.2.2.6 Record keeping page

Record keeping description section

Upload:

• a filled out Record keeping attestation
• a document with your list of associated individuals requiring security clearances

Record keeping examples section

Upload documents containing the description of your proposed record keeping methods.

6.2.2.7 Key investor report page

Key investor report section

Choose 1 of the 2 options.

1. If you don't trade your shares on a public (published) market and have key investors, upload a key investor report.
2. If you trade your shares on a public (published) market or don't have key investors, upload an attestation that indicates your situation.

6.2.2.8 Self-identification page

You need to fill out this page whether or not you choose to self-identify as Indigenous affiliated.

If you choose to self-identify

1. Select "yes" if you choose to self-identify as Indigenous affiliated.
   • Select "First Nations", "Inuit" or "Métis" depending on which Indigenous group you identify with.
   • Explain how your application is Indigenous affiliated.
2. Select "yes" if you want to apply for a 2-stage review and access support from the Navigator services.

If you don't choose to self-identify

Select "no" if you don't self-identify as Indigenous affiliated.

6.2.2.9 Associated individuals page

Only the responsible person can add associated individuals to your licence. Enter the associated individuals' CTLS Account IDs and select their roles (all that apply), if applicable. Their roles can be:

• consent to communicate
• reporter
• responsible for finance
• individual requiring a security clearance

6.2.2.10 Submission page

Your responsible person needs to:

• electronically declare and attest to the attestations
• submit your licence application

Once your licence application is submitted, it will appear in the "Submitted Licence Applications" section of the CTLS. After you've submitted your application, you can only do minor changes without having to withdraw your application.

Refer to After submitting your licence application page for next steps.