Frequently Asked Questions - Adult-Use Retail License Application

Adult Use Retail License Application Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: 12/12/2025

1. Will Workers’ Cooperative Retail License applicants need to show that the applicant is in fact structured as a worker-owned entity?

Yes. At the application phase, a Workers’ Cooperative applicant will need to be structured as and meet the requirements of Chapter 6.2 of Title 7, the Rhode Island statute governing Workers’ Cooperatives.

2. Is there a specific amount of capital or money that an applicant must have or demonstrate at the time of application?

No. However, at the time of application, applicants are required to provide a detailed description of the amount and source of equity, debt, and operating capital, including financial statements or other documentation establishing the source of any funds.

3. Is a contingent lease sufficient to satisfy the proposed physical location site control requirement?

A lease with an effective date contingent upon being selected for a license is sufficient to satisfy site control at the application phase. The lease must allow the operation of a cannabis establishment on the property, cannot be at a shared location with another licensee and must afford the applicant exclusive rights to the property. As such, no more than one applicant can demonstrate such rights at a single location.

4. UPDATED 11/04/2025: If more than one applicant holds a contingent lease for the same property, is site control satisfied, or will this disqualify one or both applicants?

Since an applicant must have exclusive rights to a proposed cannabis establishment property, no more than one applicant can hold a lease for the same physical location, whether it is a contingent lease or a regular lease. If multiple applicants provide leases for the same physical property, these applications may be disqualified for not being able to demonstrate the site control requirement, as multiple applicants cannot all be selected for licensure using a single property. It is the responsibility of each applicant to ensure that no other lease(s) exist for the same proposed physical property.

5. Will the random selection process, or lottery, occur at the same time for all three retail license categories?

The Commission intends to conduct the selection process for all three retail license types—general, social equity, and workers’ cooperative—in close proximity, at a time and date that will be announced. Please continue to check our website and sign up for our email list to know when each selection process will take place.

6. Can I submit letter of intent to lease or to purchase a property to satisfy the requirement of a proposed physical location for my cannabis establishment?

No. A letter of intent is not sufficient to satisfy the site control requirement. Only an executed lease or document evidencing property ownership will satisfy the site control requirement at the application phase.

7. Do I need a background check, often referred to as NCIC, prior to applying for an adult use retail license?

Individuals will have to attest that they have no disqualifying offenses at the application stage, and all interest holders or key persons as defined in 560-RICR-10-10-1, § 1.2(A)(12) will need to complete the NCIC as a requirement of licensure. 

8. What is evidence of final zoning approval?

A “zoning certificate,” established by R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24-54, is a standard document in every municipality that is issued by a municipality official.

In circumstances where a cannabis retailer is an allowed use by right in the zone where the property is located, a zoning certificate stating that will suffice as evidence of final zoning approval.

If a conditional or special use permit is required, the zoning certificate will reflect that such a permit is necessary, and the permit itself must be granted and submitted as evidence at the time of the license application. In these cases, the zoning certificate precedes the conditional or special use permit.

Applicants should consult legal advisors and/or the city or town zoning official to confirm local zoning laws, requirements, processes, and timelines.

9. What must be provided to prove residency in Rhode Island?

Applicants need to provide addresses for all interest holders on Form 2 which will be verified during review of applications. There is no need to provide extra documentation.

10. Do the Rhode Island residents comprising the majority ownership have to have been residents of Rhode Island for a certain amount of time before applying?

Majority owners are required to be Rhode Island residents at the time the application is submitted.

11. Could one person be an interest holder in multiple licenses?

Yes, one person may invest in multiple licensed cannabis establishments provided that such investments are in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-19 and § 1.3.2(A)(2)(a) of 560-RICR-10-10-1. An individual may not be an interest holder in more than one application per Zone, pursuant to § 1.3.4(E)(2) of 560-RICR-10-10-1. Individuals may only have an interest of more than 10% in one license.

12. Can the same property be used to apply with multiple groups of worker owners?

See Questions 3 and 4.

13. Can a loan agreement contain restrictive covenants?

It is the responsibility of applicants to make sure that all business agreements comply with requirements set out in the Application, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 21-28.11 and the Regulations.

14. What is the deadline to apply for SEASC? What is the deadline to apply for an adult use cannabis retail license?

The deadline to fill out an interest form to applying for SEASC is Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The deadline to submit an application in the SEASC portal is Monday, September 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

The deadline to submit an application for Adult Use Cannabis Retail license is Monday, December 29, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST.

15. Can an employee of a compassion center participate as an owner in a Workers’ Cooperative that will be applying for a Workers’ Cooperative Retail License?

Yes, provided that individuals may not be interest holders in more than one application per Zone, pursuant to § 1.3.4(E)(2) of 560-RICR-10-10-1.

16. As a newly formed RI Workers’ Cooperative entity, is there any particular way to demonstrate the residency requirements to be Rhode Island resident owned? Should we include the residency information for the initial team member(s) who would be operating the Workers’ Cooperative? 

See Questions 9 and 10.

17. If a company owns 10% of a cannabis establishment, can the same company also have a revenue agreement from that business, such as a branding deal?

Yes, however, applicants are encouraged to consult with an attorney to confirm that all agreements are in accordance with § 1.3.2 of 560-RICR-10-10-1.

18. How is a majority interest defined? Is it 51% ownership of a license, or whoever owns the most interest in the license?

The definition of majority interest is determined based on the statutory definition of ownership and control. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-3(35), “ownership and control” is defined as ownership of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the cannabis establishment, and control over the management and day-to-day operations of the cannabis establishment, and an interest in the capital, assets, and profits and losses of the cannabis establishment proportionate to percentage of ownership. Multiple individuals’ ownership interests can combine for the purposes of determining majority ownership.

For example, for a license with three interest holders holding 36%, 34%, and 30% ownership respectively, no single individual holds a majority interest; however, any two of the interest holders together would constitute a majority interest.

19. Is it necessary that all appeal periods on the approval of a conditional or special use permit have run out prior to application submission?

Applicants may submit a conditional or special use permit that is in an appeal period, provided that if any appeals are lodged, then the application may be considered incomplete.

20. What forms of documentation are considered acceptable to demonstrate the source of funds (e.g., bank statements, tax returns, affidavits, etc.)?

There is not a specific list, however it is incumbent upon the applicant to ensure documentation submitted clearly demonstrates the ability to execute proposed business plans. 

21. While there is no stated minimum capital requirement, is there a recommended minimum amount of capital that would avoid raising concerns during the application review process?

The amount of capital must be feasible for the applicant to complete the pre-requisites for issuance of an Adult Use Retail license within the allotted time–nine (9) months for provisionally approved Adult Use Retail and Workers’ Cooperative applicants and twelve (12) months for provisionally approved Social Equity applicants–from the date of application approval, consistent with § 1.4(I) and § 1.5(I) of 560-RICR-10-10-1.

22. Are there any restrictions on how applicants can structure their capital, such as relying primarily on debt versus equity, or using certain types of investors or financing sources?

There are not specific structuring requirements for how applicants structure their capital, provided that all interest holder requirements and prohibitions are met pursuant to § 1.3.2 of 560-RICR-10-10-1 and Part 4, AUR Exhibit C of the application. Applicants are encouraged to consult with an attorney to ensure compliance.

23. Can multiple applicants share a single bank account, or does each applicant need to maintain a separate account to document their individual financial contributions?

Applicants are required to identify all individuals with financial interest or who have lent money to the applicant. Individuals may only be associated with one applicant per zone but are not prohibited from having an interest in applicants across multiple zones.

24. For municipalities that allow retail cannabis establishments by right, would the Site Plan Review approval be considered “final zoning approval” that an applicant must obtain and submit as part of a complete license application, even though no special use permit is required?

A Site Plan Review approval is not necessary in instances where the applicant can demonstrate the use is allowed by right. Applicants are encouraged to consult legal advisors and/or the city or town zoning official to confirm local zoning laws, requirements, processes, and timelines.

25. Are digital or electronic signatures (such as through DocuSign or Adobe Sign) acceptable for the Forms and any other documents requiring signatures that are submitted with the Adult Use Retail License application?

Yes.

26. Can approved applicants submit a change of location request?

All applicants, provisional licensees and licensees must seek pre-approval from the Commission by means of requesting a variance for all material changes to the submitted and/or approved application or any materials, operations or plans approved thereafter by the Commission, in accordance with § 1.3.3 of 560-RICR-10-10-1.

27. At what stage in the licensing or pre-operational process can a change of location request be submitted?

Pursuant to § 1.3.3(A)(4) of 560-RICR-10-10-1, an applicant, provisional licensee or licensee shall submit to the Commission a request for a variance at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to the proposed effective date of the change.

28. Are there specific regulations limiting change of location requests?

Requirements and limitations for a variance request for changes in approved applications, licensed premises, activities, and ownership and control are set forth in § 1.3.3 of 560-RICR-10-10-1 and R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-10.2, provided that changes to approved premises remain within the same zone.

29. Will you be “qualifying” the Adult Use Retail License applications on a rolling basis, or will they all be evaluated at the close of the application period?

The Commission’s timetable for review and evaluation of the applications will be dependent upon the number of applications and timeframe in which they are received.

30. In reference to the drafting of an Operating Agreement, can the agreement require a supermajority for certain decision, so long as the qualifying owner(s) have 51% of the vote?

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-3(35), “ownership and control” is defined as ownership of at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the cannabis establishment, and control over the management and day-to-day operations of the cannabis establishment, and an interest in the capital, assets, and profits and losses of the cannabis establishment proportionate to percentage of ownership. Applicants are encouraged to consult an attorney to ensure all agreements are in accordance with § 1.3.2 of 560-RICR-10-10-1 and R.I. Gen Laws Chapter 21.28-11.

31. On Form 2 of the Adult Use Retail License application, there isn’t a space to list a phone number after the first individual or entity in each section. Should the phone number be entered on the second address line instead?

The Form 2 on the website was updated on 10/10/2025 to include a line for phone numbers in all sections. Please use the most current version of the Form 2 for your submission.

32. Does the Certificate of Good Standing from the Rhode Island Secretary of State need to be dated within a specific timeframe the application is submitted?

No.

33. Can an entity applying for an Adult Use Retail License use the Social Equity Certification Number of an individual owner, even if that individual owns 51% or more of the entity?

No. An entity applying for an Adult Use Retail License cannot use the Social Equity Certification Number of an individual owner, even if that individual owns 51% or more of the entity. Approved Social Equity Applicants that wish to apply with a different ownership structure than the one approved for Social Equity Applicant Status must first complete the Social Equity Applicant Interest Holder Change Request Form before submitting an Adult Use Retail License application.

34. Who are the "third-party vendors" referred to in the prompt for Exhibit D of the Security and Safety Plan for the Adult Use Retail License application?

Third-party vendors may include but is not limited to, licensed cultivators delivering cannabis products and vendors providing on-site services related to the operation of a licensed cannabis establishment.

35. How is the 10% voting right limit defined? If someone has less than 10% voting rights overall but holds veto power over one type of decision, does that violate the regulations?

Individuals who hold veto power over a cannabis establishment, even if only a single type of decision, are considered a controlling person of that cannabis establishment.

Pursuant to § 1.3.2 of 560-RICR-10-10-1, individuals are prohibited from being a controlling person in more than one applicant or licensee.

36. How will the Commission handle a situation where two applicants selected for licensure have property locations within an area where local zoning ordinances prohibit cannabis retail establishments from operating within a certain distance of one another?

Applicants are responsible for ensuring compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and municipal zoning requirements prior to submitting an application. In accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-17.1, the local municipality in which a cannabis establishment is proposed to be located will review the application submitted to the Commission and will notify the Commission whether the application is in compliance with the municipality’s laws. Applications that are identified as non-compliant by a municipality will not be deemed qualified for licensure by the Commission.

37. Can an existing cannabis licensee remain listed on their current license at their existing ownership percentage and then divest if selected in the Random Selection Process for a Retail License?

Yes, however, they must include a divestiture plan in Exhibit A of their application.

38. In relation to question #6, will a Purchase and Sales Agreement on a specific property satisfy the physical location requirement, with a closing date after the selection?

Yes, provided that the document clearly demonstrates ownership of the property will be obtained and satisfies the site control requirements outlined in § 1.3.1(A)(5) of 560-RICR-10-10-1.

39. Under what circumstances will the Commission allow a change of cannabis establishment location for either an application, a provisionally approved application, or for an existing cannabis establishment?

A change of location may be permitted only through a variance request in accordance with § 1.3.3 of 560-RICR-10-10-1. The Commission and/or Cannabis Office may approve such a request if the proposed new location is within the same zone as the originally approved premises and meets all statutory and regulatory requirements, including local zoning compliance.

40. Now that the deadline for providing documentation of final zoning approval is extended to March 1, 2026, will the Commission continue to process an application where the appeal period for a special use permit has not concluded by March 1, 2026?

No. The appeal period must be concluded by March 1, 2026, in order for the zoning approval to be considered final, and all documentation must be received by this date.

41. What will the Commission do if two separate applicants have a signed lease for the same property?

See answer to Question #4.

42. Would a property development deal and plant meet the Commission’s site control application requirement if the proposed property currently has no physical building, but has municipal zoning approval and an executed lease, and construction on the physical building is set to be completed by Summer 2026?

Pursuant to § 1.4(I) and § 1.5(I) of 560-RICR-10-10-1, provisionally selected General and Workers’ Cooperative Retail applicants will have nine (9) months, and provisionally selected Social Equity Applicants will have twelve (12) months from the date of selection for licensure to complete the prerequisites for issuance of the Adult Use Retail license.

These prerequisites include construction and installation of improvements to the premises and receipt of all final local approvals and permits including zoning, fire, and certificate of occupancy.  All applicants must include a detailed timeline for initiating operations that meet all regulatory requirements in its application (see Application – “AUR Exhibit C – Business Plan”).

If an applicant fails to meet a regulatory deadline, the provisional approval may be rescinded by the Commission. When identifying a proposed cannabis establishment location, applicants should consult legal and business advisors to ensure that all prerequisites for licensure can be completed within the required timeframe.

43. Was the deadline for providing final zoning approval extended to March 1, 2026? 

Yes, the deadline to provide evidence of final zoning approval was extended to March 1, 2026.

44. How does the March 1, 2026 final zoning approval deadline affect the December 29, 2025 application deadline? 

Complete applications containing all other application requirements must be submitted by December 29, 2025.  Applicants will have up to March 1, 2026 to submit additional documentation to show that they have received final zoning approval for their proposed cannabis establishment. 

45. Will the Commission refund my application fee if I am not able to show final zoning approval by March 1, 2026?

Application fees are nonrefundable, pursuant to § 1.4(E)(1), § 1.5(E)(2) and § 1.6(E)(1) of 560-RICR-10-10-1, and it is up to the applicant to ensure that they can timely meet all application and regulatory requirements and deadlines.

46. I own a strip center in Rhode Island with five vacant units. Since I know I can’t sign multiple contingent leases for the same unit, can I sign one contingent lease per unit with different retail cannabis applicants to improve chances of having a retail cannabis tenant?

Yes, provided that each unit’s lease has an effective date upon being selected for a license. 

47. If a social equity applicant is not selected for a social equity retail license, will they have the opportunity to pay the fee and be entered into the drawing for a general retail license?

The application period for all license types ends on December 29, 2025, and no new applications will be accepted after this date. An applicant may only apply for one license per zone, regardless of license type or social equity status. A social equity applicant may apply for a social equity license in each or any zone, or may pay the required application fee and apply instead for a general retail license in each or any zone, but cannot submit multiple applications for licensure within the same zone. Social equity applicants applying for a social equity license will not automatically be placed in the drawing for a general retail license if not selected for a social equity retail license within that zone.

48. Will applicants be allowed to cure errors in their Adult-Use Retail license applications prior to the final determination of whether the application is qualified? 

At the discretion of the Cannabis Office and the Commission, applicants may be given the opportunity to provide additional information so that the office can determine whether or not the application is qualified.

49. Do I need cover pages for each form and exhibit submitted with an Adult-Use Retail license application?

No, cover pages only need to be submitted with supporting documentation, such as an operating agreement, beyond the forms and exhibits. See page 4 of the application for further instructions.

50. Can a certified Social Equity Applicants list store managers on their application without them being approved via an Interest Holder Change Request since they may not have been hired yet?

Yes, store managers can be included on applications even if they have not been disclosed prior to the end of the Interest Holder Change Request period. This does not include third-party management companies.

51. Does non-traditional financial support (such as via a gift from a family member) for the applicant that does not have repayment terms need to be disclosed?

Yes, such support should be disclosed in Form 2 Section II.

52. Do divestiture plans need to be executed and complete prior to the submission of a retail license application?

At the application stage applicants must submit a plan to divest and only need to execute such plans upon selection for licensure.

53. Do applicants need to have operating agreements or other bylaws for their entity at the time the application is submitted?

Applicants are not required to submit specific documentation with the application, however all applicants must disclose all interest holders and any applicable corporate documentation that exists at the time of the application submission. Any change to the materials submitted with an application must be done in compliance with the variance process set forth in § 1.3.3 of 560-RICR-10-10-1 after selection for licensure.

54. Does an applicant need to disclose an enforcement action against an entity that the applicant previously worked for, if the applicant was only an employee of that entity?

No, applicants are only required to disclose enforcement actions brought against those licensees whose interest holders are also interest holders of the current applicant.

55. What standard operating procedures (“SOPs”) are required to be submitted as part of the application’s required Safety and Security Plan?

SOPs submitted as part of a Safety and Security Plan should include, but not necessarily be limited to, procedures related to security system operation and maintenance.

56. Would a variance be required to change architects or other contractors named in the application?

Operational changes requiring variances are laid out in § 1.3.3 of 560-RICR-10-10-1. Changes in contractors do not typically require a variance, provided that the procedures and specifics related to facility design, operation, and equipment are consistent.

57. What level of detail is required for submitted building plans? Do applicants need to hire a professional architect?

There is not a specific requirement that plans need to be prepared by professional architects, however, applicants must ensure that any submitted building plans are responsive to all elements of the application.

58. How can applicants demonstrate final zoning approval in municipalities that voted to allow cannabis retailers but haven't passed a zoning ordinance?

Each municipality is different and applicants are encouraged to work directly with the municipality selected for the proposed cannabis establishment in order to obtain the necessary documents and/or decisions to demonstrate final zoning approval for review in the application process.

59. What if an applicant has an executed lease contingent on being awarded a license, but someone is occupying the space until June 2026? Would an applicant be disqualified if they don’t have site control the day of selection, but have it a month later?

Any lease submitted with an application must establish the applicant’s site control and be effective upon selection for licensure. As a provisionally approved applicant selected for licensure, applicants have 9 or 12 months, depending on license type, to meet all licensing requirements, regardless of the date the applicant’s tenancy in a selected property begins.  Provisionally approved applicants who do not meet licensing requirements during the applicable timeframe risk not being granted full licensure. 

60. At least one of the AUR forms requires signatures. Do all owners have to sign them?

No, only one authorized representative needs to sign the forms on behalf of the applicant.

61. What if a zoning certificate is issued to one of the controlling persons instead of the applicant company—is it still valid?

Yes, a zoning certificate issued to one controlling person is acceptable in the application process as long as the address on the zoning certificate matches the proposed cannabis establishment location.

62. The regulations state that an applicant must be a Rhode Island resident or that applicant entities must be 51% owned by a Rhode Island resident. How is this verified?

All applicants must provide their current residential address. If the Cannabis Office needs additional information to verify an address, it will request supporting documents, which may include identification or other documents establishing proof of address.

63. Can an Approved Social Equity Applicant applying for a Social Equity Retail License and a General Retail License be awarded 2 licenses (1 of each type)?

An applicant can only apply for one retail license per zone, regardless of license type. Applicants who apply and are selected for licensure in multiple zones may only select one license to pursue and will have to make such decision at the time of selection.

64. Do Approved Social Equity Applicants need to provide proof of funds in the application?

Yes, all applications for an Adult Use Retail license will be held to the same standard, and, regardless of license type, need to disclose amounts and sources of funds.

65. If the Cannabis Office approves an Approved Social Equity Applicant’s proposed entity structure through the Social Equity Applicant Interest Holder Change Request form, can the entity still reorganize into a non-Social Equity structure before the December 29, 2025, deadline and apply as a General Retail applicant without needing CCC approval for that reorganization?

Yes, an entity may reorganize and apply as a General Retail applicant without prior CCC approval of the ownership or control change. Any Approved Social Equity Applicants who change any of the information disclosed on the Social Equity Applicant Status Certification application or the Social Equity Applicant Interest Holder Change Request may lose their Social Equity Applicant Certification Status. Applicants who are not applying with Social Equity Applicant Status do not have to notify the Commission of changes to their entity structure prior to submitting an application.

66. What should an applicant do if they secure a special use permit but later encounter issues because the landlord’s bank does not allow cannabis operations on the property?

It is the applicant’s responsibility to conduct due diligence and ensure that the proposed cannabis establishment location is suitable for a retail cannabis establishment, including that the landlord’s bank is aware of the intended cannabis use and permits the landlord to lease the property to a cannabis establishment. Applicants should confirm this with the landlord before committing to a property, as resolving these types of conflicts is the responsibility of the applicant, not the Commission. From the date of selection for licensure, it is the applicant’s responsibility to complete all the prerequisites for the final issuance of an Adult Use Retail license within the allotted timeframe, which is nine (9) months for a provisionally approved Adult Use Retail license and a Workers’ Cooperative Retail license, and twelve (12) months for a provisionally approved Social Equity Retail license, in accordance with Sections 1.4(I), 1.5(I), and 1.6(I) of 560-RICR-10-10-1.

67. 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.

68. 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.

69. If an Approved Social Equity Applicant applies to and is awarded a General Retail License, will the license fee be waived?

Approved Social Equity Applicants can seek a waiver from the Commission to waive all or part of a license fee once selected for a General or Workers’ Cooperative retail license. The Commission may exercise its discretion on approving or denying any amount of any fee waiver.

70. If an Approved Social Equity Applicant applies to and is awarded a General Retail License, will they have access to the Social Equity Assistance Fund?

Approved Social Equity Applicants selected for an Adult Use Retail License will be eligible to apply for grants from the Social Equity Assistance Fund, regardless of license type. The Commission may exercise discretion on amounts of grant funding per applicant through the Social Equity Assistance Fund.

71. Can an entity applying for an Adult Use Retail License use the Social Equity Certification Number of an approved entity that owns 51% or more of the applying entity?

Only the entity that was itself approved as a Social Equity Applicant and issued a certification number may use that certification number for the purpose of applying for one of the licenses allocated to Social Equity applicants or any fee waivers. The certification number cannot be transferred or used by a different applying entity, unless approved by the Commission via an Interest Holder Change Request or a variance.

72. What happens if I am an Approved Social Equity Applicant, and I change my interest holders without getting a change request approved by the Cannabis Office prior to submission of an Adult Use Retail License application?

If an Approved Social Equity Applicant submits an Adult Use Retail License application with interest holders different from those that were originally certified, the applicant will no longer be considered an Approved Social Equity Applicant and may proceed with the new structure for a Workers’ Cooperative or General Retail License. As such, all application fees will be required at application submission.

73. May an Adult-Use Cannabis Retail licensee sell medical cannabis to qualified patients if the products comply with 560-RICR-10-10-2 § 2.4.6 and all provisions of the Medical Marijuana Act and the Cannabis Act are followed?

No. Adult Use Retail Licensees are only authorized to sell adult-use cannabis, as provided in R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-10.2. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-10, only Hybrid Cannabis Retailers are authorized to sell both medical and adult-use cannabis.

74. If an Approved Social Equity Applicant is selected for an Adult Use Retail License, would they be permitted to submit an Interest Holder Change Request after the license is issued, subject to CCC review and approval?

Once selected for licensure, a provisional licensee must submit any proposed changes to interest holders to the Commission as a request for a variance, provided that no variance which effects ownership structure, makeup or membership of an approved social equity applicant will be approved in the first year of licensed activities, except upon the Commission’s determination that public health, safety, welfare or other grounds requires such variance, pursuant to 560-RICR-10-10-1.3.3(A)(4)(a)-(b). Social Equity Applicant licensees are required to maintain Social Equity Applicant status, and any interest holder change request that reduces the interest of the Social Equity Applicant to below 51% will risk loss or revocation of the license.

75. How many Adult Use Retail Licenses can be issued in each geographic zone, and how many are reserved for Social Equity and Workers’ Cooperative applicants?

The Commission may issue up to twenty-four (24) Adult Use Retail licenses, with four (4) licenses available in each of the six (6) geographic zones, as outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-10.2. Of the four licenses in each zone, one is reserved for a Workers’ Cooperative applicant, and one is reserved for a Social Equity Applicant, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-10.3.