Rhode Island Cannabis Licensing Bill Advances in House and Senate
- The bicameral proposal to restart Rhode Island’s cannabis retail licensing process advanced out of committees, with both Senate Bill 3313 and House Bill 8544 scheduled for possible floor votes on June 4.
- The legislation aims to amend the Rhode Island Cannabis Act by redefining applicants and revising residency, social equity certification, and retail licensing provisions.
- The bill would void the current social equity certification and retail license application processes and require the Cannabis Control Commission to initiate new processes within 60 days of enactment.
- The proposal mandates refunding application fees paid under the voided application process and would take effect immediately upon passage.
A bicameral proposal to restart Rhode Island’s cannabis retail licensing process advanced out of committees yesterday, positioning both the House and Senate versions for possible floor votes tomorrow.
Senate Bill 3313 and House Bill 8544 were both recommended for passage on June 2, with the Senate version placed on the Senate calendar for Thursday June 4 and the House version placed on the House calendar for the same day.
The legislation would amend the Rhode Island Cannabis Act by changing the definition of an applicant and revising provisions tied to residency, social equity certification and cannabis retail licensing. The Senate version is sponsored by State Senators Jacob Bissaillon (D) and Jonathon Acosta (D), while the House version is sponsored by State Representative Scott Slater (D).
One of the most significant parts of the measure would void the social equity certification and retail license application processes previously run by the state Cannabis Control Commission. Within 60 days of the bill taking effect, the commission would be required to launch a new social equity certification process and begin a new retail license application process.
The proposal would also require the commission to refund application fees paid during any prior retail license application process voided under the bill.
Under current law, Rhode Island allows 24 retail marijuana licenses across six geographic zones, with no more than four in each zone. One license in each zone is reserved for a workers’ cooperative applicant, and one is reserved for a social equity applicant.
The bill would take effect upon passage.