State laws and insurance requirements for cannabis businesses
How do state laws affect my cannabis business?
Each state determines whether cannabis is legal and to what extent. States can issue licenses for cannabis businesses, mandate certain types of insurance or bonds, or set limits on how many cannabis businesses can operate.
Additionally, cities and counties can prohibit cannabis businesses even in states where they are legal, and may have their own laws and insurance requirements for the industry.
Beyond regulating specific industries like cannabis, each state has its own insurance and licensing requirements for businesses, and penalties if you fail to comply. Check your state's laws and requirements or view our recommended policies for cannabis businesses.
What are the cannabis laws in my state?

How much does cannabis business insurance cost?

A small dispensary with only a few employees can expect to pay less for commercial insurance than a larger business.
Factors that can affect cannabis business insurance costs include:
- Type of business
- Value of your business property, equipment, and inventory
- Business revenue
- Location
- Number of employees
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Claims history
Protect your cannabis business with the right insurance policies
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MALE VOICEOVER: When it comes to cannabis business insurance, having the right coverage can protect your business from accidents and lawsuits.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "The right coverage protects your business from accidents and lawsuits."]
Some policies or bonds may be required by your state or local government, while others are part of a smart risk management plan.
From theft of merchandise to a customer tripping and falling, a claim could financially devastate your business.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "From inventory theft to customer injuries, a claim could devastate your business."]
So, what types of insurance should a cannabis business look for?
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Some of the most popular, and sometimes required, insurance policies are...
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General liability insurance, which protects against basic third party risks, such as a customer injury, or damage to their property.
[video: an illustrated header displays the text: "General liability guards against:"]
[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Customer bodily injuries"; "Damaged customer property"; "Libel and advertising injuries"]
Product liability insurance will help pay for legal costs if a client sues over an adverse reaction to one of your products.
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[video: Under above header, two bullet points display the text: "Allergic reactions to cannabis" and "Panic attacks and other adverse effects"]
Commercial property insurance which helps pay for property damage to your storefront or business personal property. This policy is often required by landlords.
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[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Business property damage"; "Theft of merchandise"; "Vandalism"]
Commercial auto insurance covers vehicle theft, vandalism, and accidents involving your company's vehicle. Most states require this coverage for businesses that own vehicles.
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[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Physical damage and collisions"; "Injuries caused by your vehicle"; "Vehicle repairs due to weather or vandalism"]
Workers' compensation insurance is usually required for businesses with employees, and protects against workplace illnesses or injuries.
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[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Employee medical expenses"; "Disability benefits"; "Legal fees from lawsuits"]
Surety bonds guarantee that your cannabis business will fulfill contractual terms and pay suppliers. Many states require a surety bond as part of licensing requirements for a cannabis business.
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[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Compliance with laws"; "Fulfilled license requirements"; "Protection from breach of contract"]
Finished stock insurance covers the value of your cannabis inventory should it become damaged and unable to be sold.
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[video: Under above header, three bullet points display the text: "Burglary and theft"; "Fire and other natural disasters"; "Vandalism or intentional damage"]
The specifics of your cannabis operations will help determine other types of insurance coverage that you may need. It's best to speak with your dedicated insurance agent to know which policies can meet your insurance needs and your budget.
Get free insurance quotes for your cannabis business with Insureon today.
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Click the link to get started.
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Insureon helps a wide range of businesses get the coverage they need from top-rated U.S. insurance carriers. Complete our easy online application to get free insurance quotes.
You’ll typically be able to get coverage quickly and receive a copy of your insurance certificate on the same day.
How do I get insurance for my cannabis business?
Commercial insurance helps cannabis businesses comply with state laws and recover financially from fires, lawsuits, and costly accidents.
Marijuana legal status and cannabis business insurance requirements by state
Most states allow medical use of cannabis, and an increasing number of states allow recreational use. Find out your state's laws, learn about any cannabis business insurance requirements, and explore resources specific to your state.
Alabama
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission
- Alabama coverage requirements: Cultivators and integrated facilities are required by law to maintain $2 million in liability and casualty insurance, as well as workers' compensation insurance.
Alaska
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Alaska Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office
- Alaska coverage requirements: Marijuana establishments must post a Marijuana-Cannabis Surety Bond.
Arizona
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Arizona Department of Health Services
- Arizona coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Arkansas
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission
- Arkansas coverage requirements: May require proof of assets or a surety bond.
California
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Department of Cannabis Control
- California coverage requirements: Each licensed premise must have a $5,000 surety bond. Distributors must carry general liability insurance with a $1 million per-occurrence limit and a $2 million aggregate limit.
Colorado
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Marijuana Enforcement Division of the Colorado Department of Revenue
- Colorado coverage requirements: Cannabis manufacturers must provide proof of product liability insurance to transfer audited products.
Connecticut
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Cannabis Licensing and Business Information; Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection
- Connecticut coverage requirements: May require proof of assets or a surety bond.
Delaware
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Delaware Medical Marijuana Program; Office of the Marijuana Commissioner
- Delaware coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Florida
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Florida Medical Use of Marijuana
- Florida coverage requirements: Medical marijuana treatment centers must have a $5 million performance bond, or a $2 million performance bond if they serve at least 1,000 patients.
Georgia
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use (low-THC oil only).
- State information: Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission; Low THC Oil Registry
- Georgia coverage requirements: May require proof of assets or a surety bond.
Hawaii
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Hawaii Medical Cannabis Program
- Hawaii coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Idaho
- Cannabis legal status: Illegal.
- State information: National Conference of State Legislatures
- Idaho coverage requirements: N/A
Illinois
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Medical Cannabis Patient Program; Adult Use Cannabis Program
- Illinois coverage requirements:
- Dispensaries: $50,000 surety bond
- Cultivators: $2 million construction bond; $1.5 million production bond
Indiana
- Cannabis legal status: Illegal. Only hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are permitted.
- State information: Indiana State Chemist; National Conference of State Legislatures
- Indiana coverage requirements: N/A
Iowa
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use (no flowers or edibles).
- State information: Iowa Health & Human Services; National Conference of State Legislatures
- Iowa coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Kansas
- Cannabis legal status: Illegal.
- State information: National Conference of State Legislatures
- Kansas coverage requirements: N/A
Kentucky
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use effective Jan. 1, 2025.
- State information: Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis
- Kentucky coverage requirements:
- General liability insurance: $1 million per-occurrence, $2 million aggregate
- Commercial auto insurance for any vehicle used to transport cannabis products
Louisiana
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Louisiana Department of Health; Louisiana Board of Pharmacy
- Louisiana coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Maine
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Maine State Legislature; Office of Cannabis Policy; Session - 128th Maine Legislature
- Maine coverage requirements: Surety bond in the amount of $500,000 for dispensaries; bonds also needed for other cannabis businesses
Maryland
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA)
- Maryland coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements. May need a bond.
Massachusetts
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission; Management and Operations Profile; Mass.gov: Adult Use of Marijuana
- Massachusetts coverage requirements:
- General liability insurance / product liability insurance: $1 million per-occurrence, $2 million aggregate, $5,000 maximum deductible
- Surety bond: Equal to the business's license fee
Michigan
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA); CRA Laws, Rules, & Other Resources
- Michigan coverage requirements:
- Product liability insurance: $100,000 bodily injury liability
- General liability insurance: $100,000 premises liability
- Auto liability insurance for vehicles used to transport marijuana products
Minnesota
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management; Division of Medical Cannabis; Cannabis Transporter Licensing
- Minnesota coverage requirements: Cannabis transporters may need a surety bond or certificate of insurance.
Mississippi
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program; Mississippi Department of Revenue
- Mississippi coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Missouri
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
- Missouri coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Montana
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Cannabis Control Division; Department of Labor & Industry
- Montana coverage requirements: Testing laboratories must carry professional liability insurance with a $1 million aggregate limit and a $25,000 surety bond.
Nebraska
- Cannabis legal status: Illegal.
- State information: Department of Agriculture; National Conference of State Legislatures
- Nebraska coverage requirements: N/A
Nevada
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board
- Nevada coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
New Hampshire
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Department of Health & Human Services
- New Hampshire coverage requirements: Alternative treatments centers (ATCs / dispensaries) must carry $2 million in liability insurance.
New Jersey
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission; Act Concerning the Regulation of Cannabis
- New Jersey coverage requirements: Applicants must submit a business plan that includes a plan for obtaining liability insurance. Cannabis delivery vehicles must have hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) in an amount of not less than $1 million per occurrence or accident.
New Mexico
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: New Mexico Department of Health; New Mexico Cannabis Control Division
- New Mexico coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
New York
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Office of Cannabis Management; Registering of Organizations
- New York coverage requirements: Cannabinoid hemp processors must provide proof of product liability insurance. Applicants for medical-use cannabis businesses must have the property and equipment necessary to operate, or post a $2 million bond.
North Carolina
- Cannabis legal status: Illegal, except for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI).
- State information: Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services; EBCI Cannabis Control Board
- North Carolina coverage requirements: N/A
North Dakota
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: North Dakota Department of Health
- North Dakota coverage requirements: Cannabis manufacturing facilities and dispensaries (compassion centers) must provide a financial assurance or surety bond.
Ohio
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC); DCC Rules Package 4 [PDF]
- Ohio coverage requirements: Licensees must have general liability insurance, product liability insurance, and an escrow account or surety bond.
Oklahoma
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority
- Oklahoma coverage requirements: $50,000 surety bond for commercial medical marijuana growers, or proof of five-year land ownership
Oregon
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Liquor and Cannabis Commission; Medical Marijuana Program
- Oregon coverage requirements: The Liquor and Cannabis Commission may require general liability insurance in some circumstances.
Pennsylvania
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program; Medical Marijuana Regulations
- Pennsylvania coverage requirements: Medical marijuana organizations must have an appropriate amount of coverage that insures their site, facility, and equipment, along with adequate comprehensive liability insurance to cover their activities.
Rhode Island
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Department of Health; Cannabis Control Commission; Rhode Island Cannabis Act
- Rhode Island coverage requirements: Cannabis establishments must maintain minimum standards for liability insurance coverage.
South Carolina
- Cannabis legal status: Illegal.
- State information: South Carolina Department of Agriculture; National Conference of State Legislatures
- South Carolina coverage requirements: N/A
South Dakota
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: South Dakota Department of Health
- South Dakota coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Tennessee
- Cannabis legal status: Illegal, except for hemp-derived cannabinoids.
- State information: Tennessee Department of Agriculture; National Conference of State Legislatures
- Tennessee coverage requirements: N/A
Texas
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use in limited cases.
- State information: Department of Health Services; Department of Public Safety
- Texas coverage requirements: Cannabis businesses must maintain general liability insurance with a $1 million per-occurrence limit and a $2 million aggregate limit, and $1 million in product liability coverage.
Utah
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Center for Medical Cannabis; Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF)
- Utah coverage requirements: Cannabis businesses must obtain a performance bond.
Vermont
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Cannabis Control Board (CCB); Vermont Marijuana Commission
- Vermont coverage requirements: Cannabis establishments must carry "commercially reasonable" coverage, including general liability insurance, or place a sum in escrow.
Virginia
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
- Virginia coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Washington
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
- Washington coverage requirements: Cannabis businesses must provide proof of general liability insurance with $1 million limits, with the state named as an additional insured.
Washington, D.C.
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical and recreational use.
- State information: Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA)
- Washington, D.C., coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
West Virginia
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use.
- State information: Office of Medical Cannabis
- West Virginia coverage requirements: Medical cannabis organizations must carry an appropriate amount of insurance for their site, facility, and equipment, and an adequate amount of comprehensive liability insurance for their activities.
Wisconsin
- Cannabis legal status: Legal for medical use (CBD only).
- State information: Wisconsin State Legislature
- Wisconsin coverage requirements: No current cannabis business insurance requirements.
Wyoming
- Cannabis legal status: Illegal.
- State information: National Conference of State Legislatures
- Wyoming coverage requirements: N/A
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