Rhode Island Governor Signs Cannabis Licensing Bill Into Law

(Photo credit: Leafly).

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee has signed legislation into law that will restart parts of the state’s long-delayed cannabis retail licensing process.

The new law, advanced through companion measures House Bill 8544 and Senate Bill 3313, amends the Rhode Island Cannabis Act by updating provisions tied to residency terminology, the definition of an applicant, social equity certification and cannabis retail sales licenses.

The measure is designed to reset the state’s process for issuing new retail marijuana licenses, including licenses reserved for social equity applicants and workers’ cooperative applicants. Under the law, the social equity certification and retail license application processes previously conducted by the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission are rendered null and void.

Within 60 days of the law taking effect, the commission is required to begin a new social equity certification process and launch a new retail license application process. The commission must also refund application fees paid by applicants during any prior retail license application process voided under the law.

Under the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, the commission may issue up to 24 retail marijuana licenses across six geographic zones, with no more than four retailers allowed in each zone. One license in each zone is reserved for a workers’ cooperative applicant, and one is reserved for a social equity applicant.

House Bill 8544 was sponsored by State Representative Scott Slater (D). It passed the House on June 4 in a 63 to 1 vote, with the Senate approving it in concurrence on June 9 by a vote of 29 to 8.

The Senate version, sponsored by State Senators Jacob Bissaillon (D) and Jonathon Acosta (D), passed the Senate on June 4 in a 34 to 3 vote before receiving unanimous approval from the House on June 8.

The new law takes effect upon passage.