Rhode Island can officially commence adult-use cannabis sales in just over a week.
Today, Governor Dan McKee announced that five medical cannabis compassion centers have received adult-use cannabis sales licenses.
Governor McKee made the announcement with the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation’s Office of Cannabis Regulation.
The first recipients include Aura of Rhode Island, Thomas C. Slater Center, Mother Earth Wellness, Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center, and RISE Warwick.
The five dispensaries may begin selling adult-use cannabis on or after December 1.
In May, the RI General Assembly passed the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, which Governor McKee promptly signed.
The Act allows adults to purchase up to an ounce of cannabis, keep ten ounces at home, and grow up to six plants.
“We were pleased with the quality and comprehensiveness of the applications we received from the state’s compassion centers,” says Governor McKee. “And we are proud to launch adult-use sales in Rhode Island just six months after the Cannabis Act was signed into law, marking the Northeast’s fastest implementation period.”
A call for hybrid retail license applications went out in October.
Hybrid licenses allow medical cannabis retailers to sell well-regulated, competitively-priced adult-use products to people over 21.
“This milestone is the result of a carefully executed process to ensure that our state’s entry into this emerging market was done in a safe, controlled, and equitable manner,” says Governor McKee. “It is also a win for our statewide economy and our strong, locally based cannabis supply chain, which consists of nearly 70 licensed cultivators, processors, and manufacturers in addition to our licensed compassion centers.”
Department of Business Regulation Interim Deputy Director Matt Santacroce says he is ready to help the adult-use machine run smoothly.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the state’s cannabis business community,” says Santacroce. “To ensure this critical economic sector scales in compliance with the rules and regulations put forward by state regulators.”