Want to work in Colorado’s cannabis industry? Then you will need to obtain a Marijuana Enforcement Division Employee license or MED badge for short. You will not be able to apply for a MED badge if you are not a Colorado resident unless you meet very specific requirements. Here is everything you need to know about receiving a MED badge.

Applying for a MED Badge

Before January 2020, applicants needed to apply for either a Key license or a Support License. However, as of January 2020, those two license types have been combined into the Employee License category. If you obtained a Key or Support license before January 2020, it will be converted to an Employee License at license renewal. To receive the MED Employee License, you must download and complete the application and schedule an appointment at one of the MED Licensing offices. At the appointment, you will complete the following tasks:

submit the completed application
show a current Colorado ID card or driver license
take a picture for the badge
give fingerprints
pay the application fee

The application fee is $100. All of the Med Licensing offices can accept checks, money orders, and credit cards (though a credit card fee of $.75 plus 2.25% of the amount charged will be incurred).

If the application is approved, you will receive your MED badge within 3 to 4 business days by mail at the home address provided in your application. You will be notified if more information is needed or if you fail your background check.

What’s in the Application?

To complete the application, you will need the following materials:

Your social security number or a sworn statement stating that you do not have a social security number
Proof of enrollment in a MJ Workforce Development or Training Program for non-Colorado residents who are studying cannabis
The completed, signed, and dated application. It must be printed one-sided on 8.5 X 11-inch paper.
Proof of identity and residency. You must be a Colorado resident to apply unless you are enrolled in the MJ workforce or training program, which can delay the residency requirement for up to 2 years.
The application fee of $100. Make checks payable to the Colorado Department of Revenue.

The application will ask for the following personal information from the applicant:

Physical and mailing addresses
Criminal history
Age
Employment history
Citizenship

Who Can't Obtain a MED Badge?

The following people cannot obtain or hold a MED badge:

Anyone who has been convicted of a felony in the 3 years immediately preceding the application
Anyone currently subject to a felony conviction sentence including probation or parole
Anyone subject to a deferred judgment
Anyone who has failed to remedy an outstanding delinquency for any judgments, taxes, interest or penalties due to the Department of Revenue, relating to a Regulated Marijuana Business
A licensed physician making marijuana patient recommendations
Anyone who has had their authority to act as a primary caregiver revoked by the State Health Agency
Anyone under 21 years old
Anyone who is the spouse or child living in the household of any person employed by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division
Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs
Police officers
Prosecuting officers
Any officer or employee with the marijuana state licensing authority or a local licensing authority

Can You Apply for a MED Badge if You Are Not a Colorado Resident?

The only way to apply for a MED badge if you are not a Colorado resident is if you are enrolled in a MED approved MJ Workforce Development or Training Program. The law defines such a program as one designed to train individuals about cannabis-industry specific topics. In short, if you are not a Colorado resident but you live in Colorado because you attend a cannabis school there, you can apply for a MED badge so that you can participate in the industry as a part of your training and education.

This residency exemption lasts up to 2 years or the duration of the education program.

MED Licensing Offices

There are 4 office locations where applicants may schedule their appointments. All of the offices accept checks, money orders, and credit cards. None of the following offices except Lakewood can accept cash payments:

Lakewood Office

Address: 1707 Cole Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80401

Email: dor_medoccupational_appts@state.co.us

Include your first and last name, primary phone number, email address, and preference for a morning or afternoon appointment in your appointment request.

Colorado Springs/Southern Regional Office

Address: 1030 South Academy Blvd., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80910

Email: dor_MEDCoSappts@state.co.us

Include your first and last name, primary phone number, email address, and preference for a morning or afternoon appointment in your appointment request.

Grand Junction/Western Slope Regional Office

Address: 632 Market Street, Suite G3, Grand Junction, CO 81505

Email: dor_MEDGJappts@state.co.us

Include your first and last name, primary phone number, email address, and preference for a morning or afternoon appointment in your appointment request.

Longmont Office/Northern Regional Office

Address: 275 South Main Street, Suite 101, Longmont, CO 80501

Email: dor_MEDLMTappts@state.co.us

Include your first and last name, primary phone number, email address, and preference for a morning or afternoon appointment in your appointment request.

Renewing Your MED Badge

MED badges must be renewed every 2 years for $75. The expiration date is printed on the badge. If you allow your MED badge to expire before renewing it, you will have to apply for a new badge. You must apply for a renewal before your MED badge expires, or you will have to pay the $100 for a new MED badge. To renew your MED badge, download and complete the renewal application. You can submit the completed application in one of three ways:

You can submit your application online.
You can submit your application in person at any of the MED office locations.
You can mail your application to the Lakewood MED office.