Rhode Island Senate Passes Cannabis Licensing Bill 34 to 3
- The Rhode Island Senate approved Senate Bill 3313 with a 34 to 3 vote to restart parts of the state's cannabis retail licensing process.
- The bill revises the Rhode Island Cannabis Act by updating residency terminology, applicant definitions, social equity certification, and retail sales licenses.
- The legislation voids previous social equity certifications and retail license applications, requiring the Cannabis Control Commission to initiate new processes within 60 days and refund prior application fees.
- Under current law, Rhode Island permits 24 retail marijuana licenses across six zones, with reserved licenses for workers’ cooperatives and social equity applicants; the House has also recommended a similar measure for passage.
The Rhode Island Senate has approved legislation to restart parts of the state’s cannabis retail licensing process, passing the measure today in a 34 to 3 vote.
Senate Bill 3313 would amend the Rhode Island Cannabis Act by revising provisions related to residency terminology, the definition of an applicant, social equity certification and cannabis retail sales licenses.
The bill, sponsored by State Senators Jacob Bissaillon (D) and Jonathon Acosta (D), was introduced on May 22 and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. After initially being held for further study, the committee recommended passage on June 2, with the full Senate approving the measure on June 4.
One of the most significant parts of the proposal would void the social equity certification and retail license application processes previously conducted 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 legislation 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 House version of the measure, House Bill 8544, sponsored by State Representative Scott Slater (D), was also recommended for passage by committee on June 2 and placed on the House calendar for June 4.
The Senate bill would take effect upon passage.