The Cannabis Cooperative Registration Application is the form that two to four qualifying medical cannabis patients (or their designated providers) file with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board to legally grow and process cannabis together for their own medical use. It is the only way a group of patients can pool plants at one shared home address without breaking state law.
Getting this form right matters because the LCB checks every detail against medical records, property records, and retailer maps before it says yes. One wrong box, a missing recognition card, or a grow site too close to a licensed store can lead to a flat denial under WAC 314-55-410. There is no application fee, yet the rules are strict, and the LCB reports that a cooperative may have no more than four members and no more than 60 total plants in most cases, which surprises many first-time filers.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 🌱 What the cooperative form does and exactly who is allowed to file it.
- 📋 Every document and number you must gather before you open the form.
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of each field, with sample answers from real-style filers.
- ⚖️ The legal limits, deadlines, and penalties that decide if you pass or fail.
- ❓ Clear answers to the field-level questions that trip up most patients.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Cannabis Cooperative Registration Application is a state registration form, not a retail or business license. It tells the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board that a small group of medical patients plans to grow cannabis together at one home for their own treatment. The form is authorized by RCW 69.51A.250 and governed by the rules in WAC 314-55-410.
You must file this form if you and at least one other person want to combine your medical plant counts at a single address. A single patient growing alone at home does not need it. The moment a second patient or provider joins the same grow, the law treats it as a cooperative, and registration becomes mandatory under the statute that the LCB enforces.
The people who file are qualifying patients and designated providers. A qualifying patient is someone a healthcare provider has authorized to use medical cannabis. A designated provider is a person chosen to help a patient who cannot grow on their own, and that provider may join the cooperative on the patient’s behalf when the patient is under 21.
Every member must hold a valid recognition card, which is the official ID issued after a patient enters the state medical cannabis authorization database. Without that card, a person cannot be listed on the form. The LCB cross-checks each card against the Department of Health database, so a fake or expired card means an automatic denial.
The reason this form exists is to give sick patients a legal, shared option to grow medicine while keeping the activity inside clear limits. It also gives the state a way to track plant counts and locations so cooperatives do not turn into illegal commercial grows. When you understand that goal, the form’s questions about plants, members, and address make sense.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form, because the LCB reviews the application and its attachments as one package. A missing attachment is one of the top reasons a registration stalls or gets denied. Treat this list as your pre-filing checklist.
- Each member’s valid recognition card. You need a clear copy for every member, since WAC 314-55-410 requires proof that all members are authorized patients or providers. Without it, the member cannot be listed and the form fails.
- Each member’s date of birth and proof of age. All members must be at least 21, so birth dates confirm eligibility. A member under 21 forces denial unless a designated provider stands in.
- The exact street address and tax parcel number of the grow site. The site must be a member’s home, and only one cooperative is allowed per tax parcel. The wrong parcel number can wrongly flag your site as a duplicate.
- Proof of property control. This is a deed, lease, or rental agreement for the grow address. Without it, the LCB cannot confirm you have the legal right to grow there.
- A landlord’s sworn permission statement (if you rent). The owner must give written, sworn permission with a phone number and address for verification. A renter without this statement will be denied.
- A sketch of the grow area. You must draw where the plants will be grown on the property. A vague or missing sketch slows the review while staff request a redo.
- The total plant count from all recognition cards. Add up each member’s authorized plants to confirm you stay within limits. Going over the cap triggers denial.
- A primary contact’s full name, phone, and email. The LCB contacts this person every year to confirm the cooperative is still valid. A bad contact means you can miss the annual check and lose your registration.
Having these items ready turns a confusing filing into a smooth one. Patients often feel stressed by paperwork, so building this folder first removes most of the fear. Once the folder is complete, the form itself takes only a short time to finish.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get the Cannabis Cooperative Registration Application directly from the LCB cooperative registration page, which links to the current version through the agency’s online system. The form carries the LCB document number LIQ 1275, and the cooperative rules were last updated effective August 31, 2024, so confirm you are using the most recent version before you start. Using an old version can cause the LCB to reject your packet and ask you to refile.
Cannabis cooperative registration is now available through the LCB Portal, the same online system the agency uses for other cannabis filings. The portal lets you enter your member details, upload your attachments, and submit the whole package in one place. You create a secure account, then follow the cooperative registration path inside the portal.
If you cannot use the portal, the LCB has historically accepted the completed paper form and attachments by email and mail. The agency’s cannabis forms and applications page lists the current submission methods and contact details. Always check that page for the latest channel, since the LCB has moved most filings online.
There is no application fee for a cooperative registration, which sets it apart from the costly producer and processor licenses. This makes the cooperative path friendly for patients on a fixed income. Still, “free” does not mean “easy,” because the eligibility rules do the gatekeeping that a fee normally would.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Cannabis Cooperative Registration Application Line by Line
The form is organized into clear sections: the cooperative location, the primary contact, the member roster, the property and grow details, and the signatures. Work through each section in order, and answer every prompt fully. Below, each field gets its own breakdown so you know what to write, what to watch for, and what goes wrong if you slip.
Field 1: Cooperative Location Address
This field asks for the full physical address where the cooperative will grow cannabis. Write the complete street address, city, county, state, and ZIP code, using the legal address that matches the deed or lease. For example, Maria Lopez enters 4127 Birchwood Lane, Olympia, WA 98502, Thurston County.
The address must be the domicile of one of the members, meaning a member actually lives there. A common edge case is a member who owns a duplex; the cooperative may only sit on one tax parcel, so list the exact unit and parcel that the grow uses.
A frequent mistake is listing a separate warehouse, garage on another lot, or a friend’s address where no member lives. The direct consequence is denial, because WAC 314-55-410 ties the cooperative to a member’s home. Many people wrongly believe a cooperative can rent a standalone grow space like a commercial business; it cannot, and that belief sinks more applications than any other.
Field 2: Property Tax Parcel Number
This field asks for the county tax parcel number for the grow property. Find it on your property tax statement or your county assessor’s website, then copy it exactly, including any dashes. For example, David Chen enters 21730000400 from his Pierce County tax record.
The parcel number matters because only one cooperative may be located per property tax parcel. If two groups try to register on the same parcel, the second one is rejected.
A common mistake is guessing the number or pulling it from an old document after a parcel split. The consequence is a false duplicate flag that delays or denies your filing while staff sort out the records. People often think the street address alone is enough, but the LCB keys cooperatives to the parcel, so the number is not optional.
Field 3: Primary Contact Name and Information
This field asks for the one member who will serve as the cooperative’s main point of contact. Enter that person’s full legal name, phone number, mailing address, and email, using the name shown on their recognition card. For example, Maria Lopez lists herself as primary contact with phone (360) 555-0148 and email maria.lopez@email.com.
The LCB uses this contact for the annual check required by WAC 314-55-410, when staff confirm the cooperative is still active and all cards are valid. Pick someone reliable who checks their messages.
A common mistake is listing a phone number or email the member rarely uses. The consequence is a missed annual contact, which can lead the LCB to decline to renew the registration. Some filers think the primary contact has extra legal power over the others; in truth, the role is about communication, not control.
Field 4: Member Roster (Names of All Members)
This field asks you to list every member of the cooperative. Write each member’s full legal name, date of birth, and role (qualifying patient or designated provider), matching each recognition card. For example, the roster shows Maria Lopez, 03/14/1985, qualifying patient and David Chen, 07/02/1979, qualifying patient.
The cooperative must have at least two but no more than four members, and each person may belong to only one cooperative. A nuance arises when a patient is under 21: their designated provider is listed as the member on the patient’s behalf.
A common mistake is listing a fifth member or a person already in another cooperative. The consequence is denial, since the four-member cap and the one-cooperative rule are firm. People often assume family members can be added freely; every added person still must hold a valid card and meet the age rule.
Field 5: Recognition Card Numbers and Copies
This field asks for each member’s recognition card number and a copy of the card itself. Enter the card number in the space provided and attach a clear copy for each member. For example, David Chen writes card number WA-MMJ-0042817 and attaches a scan of his card.
These cards prove that every member is in the state medical authorization database, as required before any cooperative can form. The cards also set each member’s authorized plant count, which feeds the next field.
A common mistake is attaching an expired card or one with a number that does not match the database. The consequence is an automatic hold or denial while the LCB verifies eligibility. Many filers believe an old medical “green card” or a doctor’s note is enough; only a current recognition card counts.
Field 6: Authorized Plant Count Per Member and Total
This field asks how many plants each member is authorized to grow and the total for the cooperative. Copy the plant number from each member’s recognition card, then add them for a total. For example, Maria Lopez is authorized for 15 plants and David Chen for 15, for a cooperative total of 30.
By rule, members may grow up to the total plants listed on their cards, and the location may hold no more than the useable cannabis those plants produce, capped at 72 ounces. A nuance is that a patient with a higher provider authorization can raise the group total, but the group can never exceed the sum of valid card limits.
A common mistake is inflating the count beyond what the cards allow. The consequence is denial and possible later enforcement, since plant counts are tracked closely. People wrongly assume every cooperative gets a flat 60 plants; the real limit is the sum of each member’s card authorization, which can be lower.
Field 7: Proof of Property Control Attachment
This field asks you to attach the document that proves you control the grow property. Submit a deed if a member owns the home, or a lease or rental agreement if a member rents. For example, Maria Lopez attaches her recorded warranty deed showing she owns the Olympia home.
This proof shows the LCB that the cooperative has the legal right to grow at the listed address, as required by WAC 314-55-410. The document name must match the address and parcel you listed earlier.
A common mistake is attaching a utility bill or mortgage statement instead of a deed or lease. The consequence is a delay while staff request the correct document, or a denial if it never arrives. Filers often think any proof of residence works; the LCB specifically wants proof of ownership or a tenancy agreement.
Field 8: Landlord Sworn Permission Statement (Renters Only)
This field applies when a member rents the property and asks for the owner’s sworn written permission to run a cooperative there. The statement must include the owner’s signature, a phone number, and an address for verification. For example, David Chen rents his Tacoma home and attaches a notarized letter from owner Greenfield Rentals LLC granting permission, with phone (253) 555-0199.
This step protects both the renter and the owner, and the LCB will call to confirm the permission is real. Without it, a renter cannot legally host the grow.
A common edge case is a property managed by a company rather than an individual; the statement must come from someone with authority to grant permission. A common mistake is skipping this attachment because the lease “doesn’t forbid” growing. The consequence is denial, because silence in a lease is not the same as sworn permission, a point many renters get wrong.
Field 9: Sketch of the Grow Area
This field asks for a simple drawing that shows where on the property the cannabis will be grown. Sketch the building or yard and mark the room, structure, or fenced area used for the grow. For example, Maria Lopez draws her detached garage and labels the 12 by 14 foot grow room inside it.
The sketch helps the LCB picture the site for any future inspection, which staff may conduct between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. A nuance applies to outdoor grows: the plants must sit behind a sight-obscure wall or fence at least eight feet high, and your sketch should show that barrier.
A common mistake is submitting a blank page or a sketch with no labels. The consequence is a request for a redo that delays approval. Filers often think the sketch must be a professional blueprint; a clear hand drawing with labels is enough.
Field 10: Retailer Distance Confirmation
This field asks you to confirm the grow site is not within one mile of a licensed cannabis retailer. Check the LCB’s retailer map or store list, measure the radius, and confirm the site is clear. For example, David Chen confirms the nearest retailer is 1.4 miles away and notes it on the form.
The one-mile rule is a hard line in WAC 314-55-410, set to keep cooperatives away from commercial stores. Measure as a straight-line radius, not driving distance.
A common mistake is measuring by road miles or skipping the check entirely. The consequence is denial if a retailer sits inside the one-mile circle. People often assume rural homes are always clear; new retail licenses open over time, so always check the current map.
Field 11: Member Signatures and Date
This field asks every member to sign and date the form, certifying that all information is true. Each member signs their full legal name and writes the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. For example, Maria Lopez signs and writes 05/30/2026.
The signatures make the form a sworn legal document, which means false statements carry real legal risk. All listed members must sign, not just the primary contact.
A common mistake is one member signing for another or leaving a signature line blank. The consequence is rejection, since the LCB needs each member’s own certification. Filers sometimes think only the primary contact must sign; every member’s signature is required for the registration to count.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common ways patients form a cooperative. Each example follows one named filer through the main sections of the form so you can see what real entries look like.
Scenario 1: Maria and a friend start a new two-member cooperative at Maria’s home.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Cooperative location address | 4127 Birchwood Lane, Olympia, WA 98502 |
| Property tax parcel number | 11008850300 |
| Primary contact | Maria Lopez, (360) 555-0148 |
| Member roster | Maria Lopez (patient); Anna Reed (patient) |
| Recognition card numbers | WA-MMJ-0039112; WA-MMJ-0039480 |
| Total authorized plants | 30 plants (15 each) |
| Proof of property control | Recorded deed in Maria’s name |
| Grow area sketch | Detached garage, 12 x 14 grow room |
| Signatures and date | Both members sign, 05/30/2026 |
Scenario 2: A four-member group converts an old collective garden into a registered cooperative.
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Cooperative location address | 905 Maple Court, Tacoma, WA 98404 |
| Property tax parcel number | 21730000400 |
| Primary contact | David Chen, (253) 555-0199 |
| Member roster | David Chen; Luis Ortega; Sara Kim; Tom Reyes |
| Recognition card numbers | Four valid cards attached |
| Total authorized plants | 60 plants (15 each) |
| Proof of property control | Lease plus landlord sworn permission letter |
| Grow area sketch | Fenced backyard with 8-foot sight-obscure fence |
| Signatures and date | All four members sign, 05/30/2026 |
Scenario 3: A qualifying patient under 21 joins through a designated provider.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Cooperative location address | 612 Cedar Street, Spokane, WA 99201 |
| Property tax parcel number | 35124000900 |
| Primary contact | Janet Brooks, (509) 555-0123 |
| Member roster | Janet Brooks (provider for patient, age 19); Paul Stone (patient) |
| Recognition card numbers | Patient and provider cards attached |
| Total authorized plants | Sum of both card limits |
| Proof of property control | Deed in Janet’s name |
| Grow area sketch | Spare bedroom labeled as grow room |
| Signatures and date | Janet and Paul sign, 05/30/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Your main filing channel is the LCB Portal. Create a secure account, choose the cannabis cooperative registration path, enter each field, and upload your recognition card copies, proof of property control, the landlord statement if you rent, and your grow sketch. There is no fee, so you will not enter any payment. After you submit, save the confirmation screen and any reference number as your proof of filing.
If the portal does not work for you, check the cannabis forms and applications page for the current email or mail option, since the LCB has historically accepted the LIQ 1275 packet by email. When filing by email, send the completed form and all attachments as clear PDF scans, and keep the sent message and any auto-reply as your proof of filing. When filing by mail, send copies, never originals, and use a tracked service so you have a delivery receipt.
For all channels, the expected review time runs a few weeks, though it can stretch longer if an attachment is missing or a card needs verification. The LCB may also reach out by phone or email to confirm details, so watch the inbox of your primary contact. Keep a full copy of everything you submitted in one folder.
Because the form is signed under penalty of law, treat every entry as a sworn statement. Save your proof of filing until you receive written confirmation that the cooperative is registered. That confirmation is what protects you if your status is ever questioned.
What Happens After You File
After you submit, LCB staff review the form and attachments and verify each recognition card against the state database. If everything checks out, the LCB approves the registration, and your listed address becomes the only legal place your members may grow or process cannabis. Members may not grow anywhere else once the cooperative is registered.
Each year, the LCB contacts your primary contact to confirm the cards are still valid and the cooperative is still active, as required by WAC 314-55-410. If a card has lapsed or the group no longer meets the rules, the LCB may decline to renew the registration. This is why keeping cards current is just as important as the first filing.
Once active, your cooperative must follow strict recordkeeping under WAC 314-55-415. You must keep a plant log, a harvest log, and an extract log on the premises for three years, and you must file a monthly activity report by the 20th of each month for the prior month, even in months with no activity. Missing these reports can put your registration at risk.
If the LCB finds a violation, it will revoke the registration under the rule. You have the right to request an administrative hearing to contest a denial, nonrenewal, or revocation under chapter 34.05 RCW. Knowing this appeal path gives members a fair chance to fix honest errors.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each field on this form is its own chance to slip, so review this list before you submit.
- Listing five or more members. The cooperative is denied because the cap is four.
- Adding a member with an expired recognition card. The LCB rejects the application after a database check.
- Using a grow site where no member lives. The form fails because the site must be a member’s home.
- Choosing a site within one mile of a retailer. The application is denied under the one-mile rule.
- Putting a second cooperative on the same tax parcel. The second filing is rejected as a duplicate.
- Skipping the landlord’s sworn permission when renting. A renter’s application is denied without it.
- Attaching a utility bill instead of a deed or lease. The LCB delays the file to request real proof of control.
- Submitting a blank or unlabeled grow sketch. Staff send the packet back for a redo.
- Overstating the total plant count. The cooperative is denied and may face later enforcement.
- Having only the primary contact sign. The form is rejected because every member must sign.
- Forgetting to file the monthly activity report. The LCB can move toward revoking the registration.
- Letting the primary contact’s phone or email go stale. A missed annual contact can end the registration.
Do’s and Don’ts
Use these quick rules to keep your filing clean and your cooperative in good standing.
Do’s
- Do confirm every member holds a current recognition card, because cards are the heart of eligibility.
- Do match the address, parcel, and proof of control, since the LCB compares all three.
- Do measure the one-mile retailer radius using the current LCB map, because new stores open often.
- Do label your grow sketch, since clear labels speed the review.
- Do pick a reliable primary contact, because that person handles the yearly check.
- Do save your proof of filing, since it protects you if your status is ever questioned.
Don’ts
- Don’t exceed four members, because the cap is firm and breaking it means denial.
- Don’t grow at a second site, since the registered address is the only legal grow location.
- Don’t guess the tax parcel number, because a wrong number can flag a false duplicate.
- Don’t skip the landlord statement when renting, since silence in a lease is not permission.
- Don’t sell or give cannabis to non-members, because that violates the rule and risks revocation.
- Don’t ignore the monthly reports, since missing them can cost you the registration.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many patients file this form themselves because there is no fee and the form is short. Others bring in a cannabis attorney or consultant, especially when renting or near a retailer. Here is how the two paths compare.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Professional Help |
|---|---|
| Costs nothing beyond your time, which suits patients on a budget. | Costs money, but a pro can spot a fatal issue early. |
| Gives you full control over every entry and attachment. | Adds a second set of eyes for the one-mile and parcel rules. |
| Builds your own understanding for future annual checks. | Saves stress for patients managing serious health conditions. |
| Fast for a simple two-member, owner-occupied grow. | Helpful for tricky leases or landlord permission issues. |
| Works well when all cards and documents are clearly in order. | Useful if a past denial or revocation is on record. |
Pros of filing on your own: it is free, you keep control, you learn the rules, it is fast for simple cases, and it builds confidence for the yearly contact.
Cons of filing on your own: you carry all the risk, you may miss the one-mile rule, you handle landlord issues alone, errors can cause denial, and you must self-manage the monthly reports.
FAQs
Do I need a separate business license to register a cooperative?
No. A cooperative is a medical grow registration, not a commercial license, so you do not need a producer, processor, or retail license to file the cooperative form.
Do I have to pay a fee to file this form?
No. The LCB charges no application fee for cannabis cooperative registration, which makes it accessible to patients on a fixed income.
Do all members have to be at least 21 years old?
No. A patient can be under 21 if a designated provider who is at least 21 joins the cooperative on that patient’s behalf, as the rule allows.
Do I write my full legal name or a nickname on the member roster?
No. Never use a nickname; enter each member’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the recognition card so the LCB can verify the database.
Do I list the street address or the tax parcel number for the grow site?
No, not one or the other; you must provide both, because the LCB keys cooperatives to the parcel and verifies it against the address.
Do I need a landlord’s permission if I rent the grow property?
Yes. Renters must attach a sworn permission statement from the owner that includes a phone number and address for verification, or the application is denied.
Do I count plants per member or as one flat number for the group?
No, not a flat number; the total is the sum of each member’s card-authorized plants, and useable cannabis on site may not exceed 72 ounces.
Do I have to live at the cooperative grow address?
Yes. At least one member must live at the site, because the cooperative must be located at the domicile of one of its members.
Do I have to keep records after I am approved?
Yes. You must keep plant, harvest, and extract logs on the premises for three years and file a monthly activity report by the 20th of each month.
Do I have to draw a professional blueprint for the grow sketch?
No. A clear, labeled hand drawing showing where the plants grow is enough, including any eight-foot sight-obscure fence for outdoor grows.
Do I lose my registration if a member leaves?
No, not automatically, but the cooperative must still meet the rules, and the LCB confirms member status during its annual contact with the primary contact.
Do I have any options if my registration is denied or revoked?
Yes. You may request an administrative hearing to contest a denial, nonrenewal, or revocation under chapter 34.05 RCW, giving you a fair chance to respond.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the Washington LCB Cannabis Cooperative License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington LCB Cannabis Processor License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington LCB Cannabis Producer License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington LCB Cannabis Retailer License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Cannabis Distributor License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Oregon OLCC Marijuana License Application + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California DCC Cannabis Distributor License Application + FAQs