Official State of Rhode Island website

Required Background Checks for Interest Holders

As part of the Commission’s licensing requirements, all majority owners of an Adult-Use Retail License application must complete a NCIC background check by Monday, February 2, 2026.

Applicants whose majority owners do not complete the required background checks by this date risk delays in the processing of any associated application and may be prohibited from continuing in the application process.

Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-12.1, an applicant may be disqualified from the Adult-Use Retail License process following a review of a background check.  Please see 560-RICR10-10-1.3.6(F) for a non-exhaustive list of presumptively disqualifying crimes.  Individuals with potentially and/or presumptively disqualifying crimes may still be considered for licensure in accordance with the process set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-12.1. 

What Applicants Should Do Now:

  • Ensure all majority owners have scheduled and completed their NCIC background check before February 2, 2026.
    • Please obtain an NCIC, including fingerprints submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, at a Rhode Island police department, the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General (401-274-4400), or by appointment with the Rhode Island State Police (401-444-1000). Please contact them with any questions associated with this process. Applicants are responsible for any expenses associated with the NCIC.  Out-of-state interest holders can  submit an NCIC background check through the Rhode Island Attorney General.
    • In accordance with § 21-28.11-12.1(a), the law enforcement agency must provide, in writing, the nature of the criminal record information or if no criminal record information has been found to the applicant and the Cannabis Control Commission.
      • Correspondence by law enforcement to the Commission may be emailed to CCC.AURAPP@ccc.ri.gov with subject line “NCIC Results”
      • Hard copies (not required) to the Commission may be sent to: The Cannabis Office; 560 Jefferson Blvd., Ste. 204; Warwick, RI 02886
  • Submit any required documentation promptly if contacted by the Commission.
  • Monitor email and applicant portals for status updates.

For questions regarding background checks, please contact CCC.AURAPP@ccc.ri.gov. 

Related Frequently Asked Questions (refer to the complete list of the Commission’s FAQs within the Adult-Use Retail License Application tab): 

  • I was certified as an Approved Social Equity Applicant and am preparing to apply for an Adult Use Retail license, and I have a criminal record. Are there any charges or crimes in my record that could prevent me from being eligible to be a part of a retail cannabis establishment license?
    • Yes, the Commission may deny licensure to any individual who has a prior conviction that is substantially related to the occupation for which they seek licensure, as determined by the Commission, and individuals who have pled to or been convicted of a potentially and/or presumptively disqualifying offense may be disqualified from licensure. Applicants are encouraged to complete their NCIC background check, which is a requirement for licensure, as early as possible, and to review the list of presumptively disqualifying crimes listed in 560-RICR-10-10-1.3.6(F). All interest holders or key persons, as defined in 560-RICR-10-10-1.2(A)(12), must complete a NCIC as a requirement for licensure, and all applicants have a continuing duty to truthfully and fully disclose all pleas and criminal convictions to the Commission.  The Commission will consider any potentially and/or presumptively disqualifying crimes in accordance with the procedure set forth in the Cannabis Act R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-12.1 and in R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-5.1-14 to determine whether an individual may remain as an interest holder in a retail cannabis establishment license.
  • I was certified as a Social Equity Applicant based on my having been previously charged with a cannabis offense, but I have other types of charges in my past criminal record as well. Can I still be disqualified from being an interest holder in a cannabis establishment license because of those other offenses, even though I have been certified as a Social Equity Applicant?
    • Yes. The Social Equity Applicant certification process only determined whether an individual had been charged with a qualifying offense to be granted Social Equity status. Social Equity applicant status does not exempt an applicant from meeting all other requirements needed for licensure.  An approved Social Equity Applicant may still be disqualified for licensure based on other offenses disclosed in their NCIC. If a NCIC background check shows that an individual has pled to or been convicted of a potentially and/or presumptively disqualifying offense that the Commission determines is substantially related to the licensed occupation, the individual may be disqualified for licensure.  Any individual who may be denied based on the results of a NCIC will be notified by the Commission and will be provided with an opportunity to respond as to why they should not be denied licensure and/or the ability to be an interest holder in a cannabis establishment license.