The Stipulated License Application is the form the DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) uses to let an eligible medical cannabis establishment begin operations before the ABC Board approves and issues its license. It is not a general DC business license: it accompanies a complete medical cannabis license application, so it does not cover other kinds of business licensing. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by ABCA at abca.dc.gov.
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What is Stipulated License Application – Washington, DC?
The Stipulated License Application is the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) form that lets eligible medical cannabis establishments that have submitted a complete license application begin the operations authorized by the license they applied for, before the ABC Board approves it.
The form is completed by applicants who want to start business operations before a medical cannabis license is approved and issued by the ABC Board. It asks what the stipulated license is for (a new license, a transfer to a new location, a class change, an occupancy change or another change, plus the Summer Garden and Safe-Use Treatment Facility options), identifies the entity and the licensed premises, and ends with the applicant's signature.
A stipulated license is conditional. The establishment may not sell, deliver or serve medical cannabis under it if an affected Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) files a valid protest during the 45-day protest period or the 30-day extended public comment period, or if the application is withdrawn or denied. It expires when either a permanent license is issued or a protestant is granted standing at a Roll Call Hearing.
The ABCA publishes the form with its Medical Cannabis Business License and Endorsement Application materials. That application covers all medical cannabis license types and retailer endorsements except the Testing Laboratory license; the Stipulated License Application is one of the supplemental documents listed with it. The form points to DC Official Code Chapter 16B, Use of Marijuana for Medical Treatment, § 7–1671.06 for additional eligibility conditions.
Who needs to file Stipulated License Application – Washington, DC?
Medical cannabis retailers that have submitted a complete license application and want to begin operations before the ABC Board approves and issues the license use this form. The form states that medical cannabis Retailers are eligible.
Conditions printed on the form:
- Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
- Board Orders and Settlement Agreements apply and may affect eligibility.
- Additional eligibility conditions are in DC Official Code Chapter 16B, § 7–1671.06.
Who signs: the individual if a sole proprietor; each partner if a partnership; the president or vice president if a corporation; and each managing member if an LLC.
If the application is approved, the individual listed on the license is the only person permitted to pick it up, unless a written request is submitted in advance.
This form is not a stand-alone application. An establishment that has not yet submitted a complete license application does not fit the form's overview, which describes establishments that already have.
When to file Stipulated License Application – Washington, DC
Submit the Stipulated License Application after you have submitted a complete medical cannabis license application and want to start operations before the ABC Board approves and issues the license. The form prints no separate due date.
Timing after filing matters because of the protest windows. The establishment may not sell, deliver or serve medical cannabis under the stipulated license if an affected ANC files a valid protest during the 45-day protest period or the 30-day extended public comment period, or if the application is withdrawn or denied.
The stipulated license expires when either a permanent license is issued or a protestant is granted standing at a Roll Call Hearing. Fees and valid periods vary; ABCA publishes the current schedule at abca.dc.gov/node/1505976#gsc.tab=0.
Documents you need
- Settlement Agreement, if one applies to the applicant; attach it to the application and enter "Attached" in the field that requests it.
- Letter of Support from the affected ANC, signed by the Chair, stating that a quorum was present when the resolution was adopted. The form marks this letter as required.
How to fill out Stipulated License Application – Washington, DC
Confirm you are eligible
Check that you are a medical cannabis Retailer, are at least 21 years old, and have already submitted a complete license application. Review any Board Orders or Settlement Agreements that may affect eligibility.
Check what the license is for
Under the "Requesting Stipulated License for" options, check all that apply: New License, Transfer to New Location, Class Change, Occupancy Change or Other (write in the change). The form also lists Summer Garden and Safe-Use Treatment Facility.
Enter the entity and trade names
Fill in Entity Name and Trade Name. Enter "N/A" for any question that does not apply.
Enter the license number and class
Fill in License No. and License Class/Type, or "N/A" where they do not apply to your request.
Enter the licensed premises details
Complete Licensed Premises Address, City, ST, Postal Code, Licensed Premises Phone and Licensed Premises Email.
Enter the applicant's name and title
Write the Applicant First and Last Name and the applicant's Title.
Attach the required documents
Attach the Settlement Agreement if applicable, and the Letter of Support from the affected ANC signed by the Chair stating a quorum was present. Enter "Attached" in the fields requesting a document, and print the applicant's name and Trade Name at the top of each document page.
Leave the Office Use Only block
The block at the top (License No., Date Accepted, Accepted By, Hearing Date, Fees Paid and approval dates) is for ABCA, so do not complete it.
Sign and date the application
The Applicant Signature and Date must come from the right signatory: the individual (sole proprietor), each partner, the president or vice president (corporation) or each managing member (LLC).
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every question has an answer or "N/A" and that attachments are labeled. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the packet described under How to submit.
How to submit Stipulated License Application – Washington, DC
ABCA accepts the application packet by email, by mail or in person.
- Email: send the packet to [email protected].
- Mail or in person: Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA), 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 4200B, Washington, DC 20002.
Submit the form with all required documentation. Print the applicant's "First Name, Last Name" and "Trade Name" at the top of each document page.
A fee applies, and fees and valid periods vary; see the current schedule at abca.dc.gov/node/1505976#gsc.tab=0 for the amount. Accepted methods of payment are check, cashier's check, money order or credit card. Checks must be addressed to the "DC Treasurer". An online payment link may be requested by emailing [email protected].
If the application is approved, only the individual listed on the license may pick it up unless a written request is submitted in advance. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the ABCA channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving out the Letter of Support from the affected ANC, which the form marks as required.
- Submitting an ANC letter that is not signed by the Chair or does not state that a quorum was present when the resolution was adopted.
- Not printing the applicant's "First Name, Last Name" and "Trade Name" at the top of each attached document page.
- Leaving a question blank instead of entering "N/A", or leaving a document field blank instead of entering "Attached".
- Having the wrong signatory: the form requires the individual for a sole proprietor, each partner, the president or vice president of a corporation, or each managing member of an LLC.
- Making a check payable to anyone other than the "DC Treasurer".
- Selling, delivering or serving medical cannabis under the stipulated license after a valid ANC protest is filed, or after the application is withdrawn or denied.
- Sending someone else to pick up the license without a written request submitted in advance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Stipulated License Application in DC?
It is the ABCA form that allows eligible medical cannabis establishments with a complete license application to begin the operations authorized by the license they applied for, before the ABC Board approves and issues it. It is not a general DC business license.
Who is eligible for a stipulated medical cannabis license?
The form states that medical cannabis Retailers are eligible, that applicants must be at least 21, and that Board Orders and Settlement Agreements may affect eligibility. Further conditions are in DC Official Code Chapter 16B, § 7–1671.06.
Do I need a letter from the ANC?
Yes. The form marks as required a Letter of Support from the affected Advisory Neighborhood Commission, signed by the Chair, stating that a quorum was present when the resolution was adopted. A Settlement Agreement is attached only if one applies.
Where do I send the Stipulated License Application?
Email the packet to [email protected], or mail or deliver it in person to ABCA, 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 4200B, Washington, DC 20002. Print your name and Trade Name at the top of each attached document page.
How do I pay the stipulated license fee?
Pay by check, cashier's check, money order or credit card; checks go to the "DC Treasurer". Fees vary, so check the schedule at abca.dc.gov/node/1505976#gsc.tab=0. You can request an online payment link at [email protected].
When does a stipulated license expire?
It expires when either a permanent license is issued or a protestant is granted standing at a Roll Call Hearing. Fees and valid periods vary, and ABCA publishes the current schedule at abca.dc.gov/node/1505976#gsc.tab=0.
Can I operate if an ANC files a protest?
No. The establishment may not sell, deliver or serve medical cannabis under the stipulated license if an affected ANC files a valid protest during the 45-day protest period or the 30-day extended public comment period, or if the application is withdrawn or denied.
Who signs the Stipulated License Application?
The individual if a sole proprietor; each partner if a partnership; the president or vice president if a corporation; and each managing member if an LLC. The signature goes in the Applicant Signature box with the date.
Can I fill out the Stipulated License Application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of ABCA and does not file the application; you submit it to ABCA by email, mail or in person.
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