Guam Issues Its First Cannabis Cultivation License Seven Years After Legalization

More than seven years after cannabis was legalized for adult use, Guam has officially granted its first cannabis operating license. The license was granted unanimously by the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) to the company Real Deal LLC, which operates under the brand name Deep Green Guam.

This decision, adopted at the regular board meeting on June 24, 2026, marks the first time a cannabis company has successfully completed the territory’s comprehensive licensing process.

Deep Green Guam

According to the compliance inspector, Meiko Cepeda, Deep Green Guam met all regulatory requirements before receiving authorization.

«We have received approvals from all the relevant agencies. We have conducted a thorough inspection of Real Deal's facilities. We recommend granting the approval.»

This recommendation follows inspections and the validation of the authorizations issued by the various government agencies involved in the licensing process. The motion to approve the permit was unanimously adopted by the members of the Cannabis Control Board, thereby confirming that the company had met all mandatory regulatory requirements.

Deep Green Guam will be able to operate a cultivation facility with a maximum area of 1,000 square meters.

A path fraught with obstacles since legalization

This approval highlights the long-standing implementation of the Legalization of cannabis in Guam. Voters and lawmakers have legalized the recreational cannabis for adults on April 19, 2019, but the territory did not adopt the regulatory framework governing this sector until May 2022.

Since then, prospective operators have had to navigate a complex licensing process involving several government agencies, inspections, and compliance checks before being authorized to operate. To Marie Lizama, vice president of the Cannabis Control Board, this authorization represents a major step forward for the local industry.

«This is one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome. We are, of course, delighted. We would like to thank [Real Deal] as well as all the other officials who complied with the law and took the necessary steps to enter this sector.»

She also described Deep Green Guam as a company that has «paved the way for future local businesses in the cannabis industry,» noting the precedent set by this first approved application.

Other licenses are still under review

Despite this historic authorization, the legal cannabis market in Guam is still in its infancy. At the same Council meeting, regulators also reviewed applications for Greenland Farms and Blue Wave, Inc., although both cases have been postponed.

According to Ms. Cepeda, the authorities have been unable to contact Greenland Farms, while Blue Wave has updated its application but still needs further guidance from other government agencies before it can move forward. The company remains interested, however, in completing the licensing process.

Visit June 10, the council reported a relatively small number of pending requests, with eight applications that have expired, three requests canceled, seven renewed requests and just one successful request, which therefore belongs to Deep Green Guam.