Rhode Island Orders Hemp Products Above 0.4 mg THC Removed From Licensed Facilities Before December 11

(Photo credit: Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current).

Rhode Island marijuana regulators are directing licensed hemp businesses to remove products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container before a new federal restriction takes effect December 11.

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission issued the guidance September 11 in Cannabis Office Bulletin 2026-7, outlining how the state plans to enforce the federal THC limit for hemp-derived products.

Under Section 781 of the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026, hemp-derived products manufactured, processed, distributed, advertised or sold at retail, including online, may not contain more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container beginning December 11. The commission noted that the deadline remains subject to delays or additional guidance from the federal government.

Any product exceeding that threshold that remains in Rhode Island commerce on or after the deadline will be considered noncompliant and could result in administrative penalties, including monetary fines.

The requirement applies to businesses manufacturing, processing, distributing or selling hemp-derived products, including licensed hemp handlers, dual licensees, hemp-derived consumable CBD distributors and hemp-derived consumable CBD retailers.

“All hemp-derived products that exceed the federal limit of 0.4 mgs of total THC per container must be removed from licensed facilities prior to December 11, 2026,” the commission said.

Regulators also made clear that businesses cannot avoid the restriction by transferring affected hemp products into Rhode Island’s regulated marijuana market. Products exceeding the 0.4-milligram threshold cannot be transferred to a licensed marijuana retailer through an external transfer request and cannot be sold as marijuana products, regardless of the testing method previously used.

Businesses must also remove affected products from their websites. The commission said products exceeding the limit cannot be shown, displayed, advertised or offered for sale online after the restriction takes effect.

For products that must be destroyed, regulators recommend making them unusable before disposal. Hemp plant material can be ground and mixed with non-consumable waste so that at least 50% of the resulting mixture consists of non-cannabis material, after which it may be taken to a licensed solid waste disposal facility. Businesses can also ask the Cannabis Office to observe and document product destruction.

Products containing 0.4 milligrams or less of total THC per container will remain subject to Rhode Island’s existing hemp licensing and regulatory requirements.

The commission said the new federal limit does not change requirements governing the planting, cultivation, sampling, harvesting or testing of hemp plants.