Committee reviews small fee increase for cannabis producer, processor and retail licenses

Engrossed House Bill 2,681 was presented to the Ways and Means Committee on March 9, 2026, with a staff briefing and no members of the public signed to testify.

Corbin Nemes, committee staff, said the bill would raise annual issuance and renewal fees for cannabis producer, processor and retail licenses from $13.81 to $17.81, projecting an increase in dedicated cannabis account collections of about $866,000 per fiscal year and $2.6 million over the four-year outlook. Nemes noted administrative costs at the Liquor and Cannabis Board are estimated at $5,000 and can be absorbed within current resources.

Nemes described the statutory distribution method for the dedicated cannabis account: fixed set amounts for administration, public health and related programs, then statutory shares with 52% to the state basic health plan trust account, 11% for prevention, research and treatment, 5% to local governments and the remainder to the general fund.

No public testimony was offered on the measure; the committee closed the hearing on HB 2,681 and the chair recognized committee staff before adjourning for the biennium.