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How to check a California cannabis license

There are two quick ways to check. Scan the QR code certificate that licensed stores must post in their front window, or look up the business in the state’s license search. Both show the state’s own record. If a store has no QR code certificate, or the license isn’t Active, don’t buy there.

Checked against the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) on . Next review: .

CHSA does not test, certify or endorse products or retailers.

1. Scan the QR code in the window

Every licensed store that is open to the public must post its DCC QR code certificate in the front window, within 3 feet of a public entrance. The certificate must be at least 8.5 by 11 inches, the QR code at least 3.75 inches square, and you must be able to scan it from at least 3 feet away.1

  1. Open your phone’s camera and point it at the QR code. You don’t need to go inside.
  2. Open the link and check the license status. DCC says you can scan the QR code to check a retailer’s status.2 DCC’s own license search is at search.cannabis.ca.gov.3 If the link opens a different website, don’t trust it. Look the business up in DCC’s search instead.
  3. Check that the business name and address on the record match the store in front of you.
  4. Check the license status. It should say Active.

Delivery: drivers must carry a copy of the retailer’s license and its QR code certificate, and show them to you if you ask.1

Be careful with look-alikes

A QR code is easy to copy. Always check that the link opens the state’s website and that the name and address match. A missing certificate is a warning sign.

2. Search the state’s license records

The Department of Cannabis Control runs a free license search. It is updated daily.3

  1. Go to the DCC license search.
  2. Type the license number or the business name in the search box. “Advanced Search” also lets you search by license type, license status, owner name, legal business name or DBA (“doing business as”) name.5
  3. Check the license type. A store with a shop front should show Commercial - Retailer. A business that sells only by delivery holds a Commercial - Retailer - Non-Storefront license.51 Some businesses hold a Commercial - Microbusiness license, which can include retail sales.1
  4. Check the license status, the business name and the address.

DCC explains the tool on its search help page.

Older articles may tell you to check with the Bureau of Cannabis Control. State rules now list the Bureau as one of California’s earlier cannabis licensing agencies. DCC runs licensing today.1

What each license status means

DCC’s license search shows one of these statuses.3 The meanings below are our plain-language summary of DCC’s definitions. DCC says a business cannot do any commercial cannabis activity at the location if its status is Expired, Not in Operation, Revoked, Surrendered or Suspended.3

Active

What it means: The business has an active license. It may do the activities its license type allows, at the location on the license.

What to do: Check that the name and address match the store or delivery service you are using.

About to Expire

What it means: The license ends within 60 days. It is still Active.

What to do: The business may still operate. Check again later if you buy there often.

Expired – Pending Renewal

What it means: The license expired within the last 30 days. The business can still renew it, with a late fee.

What to do: State rules say a business must not sell cannabis after its license expires until it is renewed. Don’t buy there until the status is Active again.

Expired

What it means: The license expired because it was not renewed. It is no longer Active.

What to do: The business may not sell cannabis at this location. Don’t buy there. You can report a business that is still selling.

Not in Operation

What it means: DCC gave the license disaster relief, and the business is not operating under the terms of that relief.

What to do: The business may not sell cannabis at this location while it has this status.

Suspended

What it means: The license is under disciplinary action. It is not Active, for a set time or with no end date.

What to do: Don’t buy there while the license is suspended.

Revoked

What it means: The state ended the license through a licensing action. It is no longer Active.

What to do: Don’t buy there. You can report a business that is still selling.

Surrendered

What it means: The business gave up or abandoned its license. It is no longer Active.

What to do: Don’t buy there. You can report a business that is still selling.

The search’s status filter also lists Canceled and Limited Operations.5 DCC’s help page doesn’t define them. State rules also say a business whose license has expired must not sell cannabis until the license is renewed.1 If the status is anything other than Active or About to Expire, don’t buy there.

If something doesn’t look right

You can report an unlicensed business or a problem to DCC. You have to give contact details, but you can ask to stay anonymous. DCC does not tell you the outcome.4

File a complaint with DCC · How to report a problem

Official source

California’s cannabis regulator: Department of Cannabis Control (DCC)

These links go to the regulator’s own website. CHSA does not copy or host license records, so you always see the official, current version.

Sources

  1. DCC regulations, Cal. Code Regs. tit. 4, div. 19 (revised July 1, 2026) California Department of Cannabis Control · Published · Retrieved
  2. What's legal (consumer page) California Department of Cannabis Control · Retrieved
  3. Search for a licensed business (how-to and license statuses) California Department of Cannabis Control · Retrieved
  4. File a complaint California Department of Cannabis Control · Retrieved
  5. Cannabis Unified License Search California Department of Cannabis Control · Retrieved

Back to California rules

CHSA does not test, certify or endorse products or retailers.