Massachusetts Surety Bond for Marijuana License
What is a Massachusetts marijuana surety bond?
A Massachusetts marijuana surety bond is a financial guarantee to the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). It ensures marijuana establishments have the financial means to operate a business successfully. As an applicant, you must set aside the total amount of your annual license fee (outlined in 935 CRM 500,005 or 501.005) in the form of a surety bond or an escrow account. Use the table below to determine your cost, which will be equal to your surety bond amount.
| LICENSE TYPES | ANNUAL LICENSE FEE |
| Craft Marijuana Cooperative | Total fees for its canopy. If more than six locations, add $1,250 (indoor) / $625 (outdoor) per additional location. |
| Cultivator | Varies based on square footage ($1,250 [I] / $625 [O] – $50,000 [I] / $25,000 [O]) |
| Manufacturer | $10,000 |
| Microbusiness | 50% of all applicable license fees |
| Retailer (brick and mortar) | $10,000 |
| Third-party Transporter | $5,000 |
| Existing Licensee Transporter | $5,000 |
| Research Facility | $1,000 |
| Independent Testing Laboratory | $10,000 |
| Marijuana Courier | $5,000 |
| Social Consumption Establishment | $10,000 |
| Marijuana Delivery Operator | $10,000 |
Get Your Massachusetts Marijuana Bond:
Quick Takeaways
- A Massachusetts marijuana surety bond is a financial guarantee to the Cannabis Control Commission.
- As an applicant, you must set aside the total amount of your licensing fees (outlined in 935 CRM 500,005) in the form of a surety bond or an escrow account.
- Various types of marijuana-related establishments may need to post a surety bond.
- If you have a good credit score and strong financial credentials, you may pay as little as 1% of the total bond amount annually.
How does a marijuana bond work?
A marijuana bond is a three-party agreement between you (the principal), your obligee, and your surety.
- Principal: The marijuana business license applicant
- Obligee: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission
- Surety: The financial institution that issues your bond
The bond covers costs incurred…
- By the Commission to satisfy outstanding local and state sales tax obligations
- To secure a licensed marijuana facility
- To destroy marijuana or marijuana products in inventory
It may also cover other costs the Commission or its designee incurs in dismantling or winding down the facility.
Who needs a marijuana surety bond in MA?
Various types of marijuana-related establishments may need to post a surety bond (or escrow account), according to Section 500.101 of the 935 CMR: Cannabis Control Commission application requirements.
The MA Cannabis Control Commission defines an “establishment” as any of the following types of licensed, adult-use marijuana businesses.
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- Retailer: An entity authorized to buy and transport cannabis and cannabis products from other authorized establishments and to sell or transfer them to consumers
- Cultivator: Businesses licensed to cultivate, process, and package cannabis and transfer or deliver it to other establishments
- Craft marijuana cooperative: A marijuana cultivator that enables growers to grow up to 100,000 square feet of marijuana plants.
- Transporter (existing licensee or third-party): An entity that transports only cannabis and cannabis products
- Marijuana research facility: An academic institution, a domestic corporation, non-profit corporation, or other entity authorized to purchase, cultivate, and obtain cannabis for research purposes
- Microbusiness: Either a tier 1 marijuana cultivator or product manufacturer (or both)
- Product manufacturer: An entity licensed to acquire, manufacture, process, and package cannabis or cannabis products and transfer them to other establishments
- Independent testing laboratory: An entity accredited to perform tests according to the MA Department of Public Health protocols for testing cannabis and cannabis products
- Courier: An entity that delivers marijuana directly to consumers and patients from a marijuana establishment (ME) or Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MTC)
- Delivery operator: Purchases marijuana from licensed cultivators and product manufacturers and sells and delivers directly to consumers
All applicants must set aside money (through a bond or escrow account) that sufficiently covers “the dismantling and winding down of the ME or MTC.” It must also cover the following:
- The cost of satisfying outstanding municipal or state sales tax obligations
- Costs incurred securing the facility
- The cost incurred destroying the marijuana/marijuana products in its inventory
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a medical marijuana bond cost in Massachusetts?
You will pay a small percentage of the total bond amount required. If you have a good credit score, you may pay as little as 1% of the bond.
If you have poor credit, you may still be able to get bonded in your state. Your bond premium may be higher, but partnering with a direct surety provider like ZipBonds gives you the best chance of getting bonded at an affordable rate.
Apply for Your Massachusetts Surety Bond
We can help you find the right marijuana bond for your business. ZipBonds offers the fastest and most secure option for getting bonded. Our all-digital platform is intuitive and straightforward, and many of our bonds are issued instantly. Begin your application online or call us at 888-435-4191 to speak with an agent directly.
About ZipBonds.com
Founders Ryan Swalve and Zach Mefferd formed the vision for ZipBonds.com when they realized how overly complicated it was to help clients place surety. The frustration of being unable to incorporate the technology they’d used in other insurance-focused projects left them thinking “there has to be a better way.”
Fast forward a couple of years, and that better way is the impetus of everything we do at ZipBonds. We constantly look for innovative ways to improve the bonding process for our clients and agents. Our team comprises individuals who understand all angles of surety – for companies, agencies, and individuals. Incorporating everyone’s point of view to improve the process while simultaneously integrating cutting-edge technology is what sets our business apart.