PROVIDENCE – Retail cannabis shops are officially an allowed use across Providence following a City Council vote on Thursday night to allow them in the city's two commercial zones, downtown zone and its industrial zones.Why it matters: Before, Providence's zoning rules only allowed for the already existing medical marijuana operations, not the new retail stores recently … [Read more...] about Cannabis shops will be allowed in downtown Providence. Why they aren’t coming soon.
Rhode Island
State police arrest eight after investigation into illegal marijuana grow operation
(WJAR) — Rhode Island State Police said they arrested eight people after an investigation into an illegal marijuana grow operation. State police said the eight people face charges various drugs and firearms charges. The investigation began after an anonymous tip about the illegal grow operation, officials said. According to state police, they conducted search warrants in … [Read more...] about State police arrest eight after investigation into illegal marijuana grow operation
24 Adult-Use Dispensary Licenses Still Up for Grabs in Rhode Island via Lottery
Rhode Island represents the smallest adult-use cannabis market in the nation, but slices of the pie are quite large for the handful of dispensaries currently capitalizing on sales. That will soon change. The Ocean State’s cannabis market is on pace to grow 10% in 2024, with licensed dispensaries projected to ring up nearly $118 million in adult-use and medical sales this year, … [Read more...] about 24 Adult-Use Dispensary Licenses Still Up for Grabs in Rhode Island via Lottery
McKee names Oklahoma medical marijuana regulator as his pick to lead new R.I. Cannabis Office
Michelle Reddish was named the chief operating officer for the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority in June 2023 after previously serving as its chief regulatory officer. (Courtesy of Office of the Governor) One of Oklahoma’s top medical marijuana regulators is Gov. Dan McKee’s choice to become Rhode Island’s first cannabis administrator. Michelle Reddish was named to lead the … [Read more...] about McKee names Oklahoma medical marijuana regulator as his pick to lead new R.I. Cannabis Office
The feds may reclassify marijuana. That could be a big deal for RI businesses.
For the 10 years the Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center has operated, it, like other marijuana dispensaries, has confronted a significant economic challenge: the federal government considers cannabis on par with society’s most dangerous drugs. Being classified as a “Schedule 1” substance – in the same category as heroin and LSD – has meant dispensaries are prohibited from … [Read more...] about The feds may reclassify marijuana. That could be a big deal for RI businesses.
Recreational Pot Surges in Rhode Island’s First Year of Legal Sales
Local news outlet WPRI reported last week that the state’s Office of Cannabis Regulation says that recreational marijuana sales “have steadily increased almost monthly over the past year, and the estimated sales for Fiscal Year 2024 is $76 million.” “That sales estimate, if met, would translate into more than $15 million in state and local revenue: $7.6 million from the state’s … [Read more...] about Recreational Pot Surges in Rhode Island’s First Year of Legal Sales
Judge orders Rhode Island grower to halt marijuana sales amid allegations
Advanced multi-tier cannabis grow strategies unveiled. Learn from the pros at Pipp Horticulture on how to maximize your indoor yield and avoid costly mistakes through effective planning and design and system integrations. Join us Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. EST. Don’t miss this free webinar. A major marijuana grower in Rhode Island has been ordered to stop selling products while … [Read more...] about Judge orders Rhode Island grower to halt marijuana sales amid allegations
RI marijuana regulators reviewing Slater finances after bounced check, late payments
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The first red flag emerged in January, when a $500,000 check from the Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center bounced twice after the state tried to cash it in exchange for renewing the enterprise’s license to sell marijuana. “Slater’s check has come back twice, insufficient,” a state regulator wrote in an internal email on Jan. 25. The Providence … [Read more...] about RI marijuana regulators reviewing Slater finances after bounced check, late payments
Cannabis Control Commission seeks input on recreational marijuana rules, regulations
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The R.I. Cannabis Control Commission is looking for input as it begins crafting statewide rules and regulations for recreational marijuana use. The commission has scheduled four listening sessions this summer, where residents, cultivators, retailers, testers and patients can provide input on how the state should govern recreational cannabis. CANNABIS … [Read more...] about Cannabis Control Commission seeks input on recreational marijuana rules, regulations
R.I. cannabis dispensary sues over labor requirement in legalization law
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — One of Rhode Island’s longest-running marijuana dispensaries has filed suit over the state’s budding cannabis legalization law, challenging a requirement that retailers enter into labor agreements with workers in order to sell marijuana. Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center claims it was “coerced into entering an oppressive collective bargaining agreement” … [Read more...] about R.I. cannabis dispensary sues over labor requirement in legalization law
