• You must apply for a cannabis licence under the Excise Act, 2001 if you are:
  • cultivating (you grow cannabis products)
  • producing (you produce cannabis products)
  • packaging (you package cannabis products)
• You do not have to apply for a licence in any of the following situations:
  • You are an individual who produces cannabis products in Canada for your own personal use in accordance with the Cannabis Act
  • You are an individual who under the Cannabis Act produces cannabis products in Canada for your own medical purposes
  • You are an individual who produces cannabis products in Canada, and who under the Cannabis Act are a designated person who is authorized to produce cannabis products in Canada for the medical purposes of another individual
  • You are in possession of or produce cannabis solely for research purposes under either a research or cannabis drug licence in accordance with the Cannabis Act
  • You are an industrial hemp grower who produces industrial hemp

Even if you have a Health Canada licence, you must apply for a CRA cannabis licence to produce cannabis products for both medical and non-medical (recreational) purposes.

If you will be packaging cannabis products, you must also register for the cannabis stamping regime prior to the sale of any packaged cannabis products.

Learn more: Register for the cannabis stamping regime.

How long is the cannabis licence valid?

Your licence is valid for a maximum of five years.

• Your licence will not be automatically renewed.

To renew your licence, you must apply for a licence renewal no later than 30 days before the expiration date of your current licence. You must continue to meet the requirements of the licence during the period you are licensed.

Learn more: Excise Duty Memorandum EDM6-2, Obtaining and renewing a cannabis licence.