Frequently Asked Questions Is cannabis, or marijuana, legal in Rhode Island? Yes, as of December 1, 2022. The Rhode Island General Assembly legalized adult use cannabis, which may be legally possessed and consumed for non-medical purposes by a person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age. If you are over 21 and interested in visiting a licensed compassion center, which are the retail establishments currently selling adult use cannabis, please click here for a full listing. Who is currently responsible for the regulation of adult use and medical cannabis? The Office of Cannabis Regulation, currently under the Department of Business Regulation. When the Cannabis Control Commission finalizes its first set of regulations, then it will be responsible for the licensing and enforcement of adult use and medical cannabis. For more information about this transitional period and future transfer of authority, pleas I have a question about the current regulations for cannabis – who do I get in touch with? Please email the OCR at: DBR.MMPCompliance@dbr.ri.govor call (401) 889-5607. What should I do if I have questions or concerns about a product? If you have questions or concerns about a product, contact the licensed compassion center where you made the purchase. For further assistance, please email the OCR at: DBR.MMPCompliance@dbr.ri.gov or call (401) 889-5607. I am a current medical marijuana patient, where do I go to find additional information? The Medical Marijuana Program: Frequently Asked Questions for Patients, Caregivers and Authorized Purchasers I have a prior arrest or conviction for marijuana possession and would like to see if it is eligible for expungement, where can I do that? The Rhode Island Judiciary is responsible for expungements, please click here for more information about their process. Where can I apply for a Cultivation License? The application process for licensure of new cultivators is currently closed, and there are currently no licenses available. Please note that if more licenses become available, it will be announced. For more information, please use this link to view the RI Cannabis Act, specifically Chapter 21-28.11, which applies to cannabis cultivators I want to open a dispensary, where can I apply for a Retail License? The application process for licensure of new retail cannabis operations is currently closed, and there are currently no licenses available for new retail cannabis operations. Additional cannabis retail operation licenses will become available following the enactment of the Cannabis Control Commission’s rules and regulations, and these future rules and regulations will provide the procedure for applying for a cannabis retail operation license. For more information, please use this link to view the RI Cannabis Act, specifically Chapter 21-28.11-10.2, which applies to cannabis retail sales. I have a question about the current regulations for CBD or Hemp – who do I get in touch with? Please email DBR.HempCompliance@dbr.ri.gov I want to open a cannabis lounge, what license do I need to get to do so? At this time, there are no licenses that would allow for the operation of social consumption businesses in Rhode Island. I wasn’t able to attend a CCC Meeting? Where can I find the materials from the meeting All recordings of CCC Meetings, agendas, minutes and presentations are posted on our website Past Meetings | CCC (ri.gov) Where can I find information about upcoming CCC Meetings? All meeting notices and agendas for upcoming meetings will be posted in advance of the meeting on our website Upcoming Meetings | CCC (ri.gov). Where can I find information about the Cannabis Advisory Board? The Cannabis Advisory Board was established by the Rhode Island Cannabis Act, § 21-28.11-6. For additional information regarding the Advisory Board, its subcommittees, meetings and members, please see their website. How can I share my thoughts and ideas for the cannabis industry with the Commission? We encourage all to attend our open meetings, which can be found on our website, and participate in Public Comment to speak directly to the Commissioners. If you are unable to attend in person, please feel free to send thoughts and ideas to the Commission through our email address: CCCinquiry@ccc.ri.gov or via telephone at (401) 921-3010.
