Rhode Island bill may change cannabis laws

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island lawmakers are considering changes to the state’s cannabis laws as officials work to address issues that surfaced during the rollout of the recreational marijuana licensing process.

The review comes after a judge ordered the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission to halt parts of its retail license lottery and application process, prompting lawmakers to revisit portions of the state’s cannabis framework. Lawmakers said the effort is aimed at correcting problems identified during the implementation process and avoiding further delays for applicants and businesses.

State lawmakers are now reviewing legislation that would remove certain residency requirements and restart key portions of the application process. Rep. Scott Slater, who introduced the proposal, discussed the measure during a House Corporations Committee hearing Thursday night.

Under the proposed legislation, the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission would be required to restart major parts of the licensing process within 60 days of the bill becoming law. That would include launching a new social equity certification program, opening a new application process for prospective businesses, refunding fees paid by previous applicants and moving forward with a revised system for reviewing and approving licenses.

Supporters of the measure said the changes are intended to create a clearer process moving forward while addressing concerns raised during the state’s implementation of recreational cannabis licensing.

Lawmakers also pointed to differences between Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts when discussing the proposal. According to testimony during the hearing, Massachusetts currently has between five and six dispensaries for every 100,000 residents, while Rhode Island has fewer than one dispensary per 100,000 people. Supporters said the comparison highlights potential room for growth as the state’s cannabis market continues developing.