Rhode Island - American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp

Rhode Island

Cannabis:

Recreational Use: Legalized in 2022 under Rhode Island’s Cannabis Act, allowing adults 21 and older to purchase and possess cannabis from licensed retailers.
Medical Use: Legal since 2006 under the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, permitting medical cannabis for patients with qualifying conditions.

Hemp Intoxicants and Synthetic THC: Rhode Island expressly prohibits synthetic THC products, including hemp-derived intoxicants like delta-8 THC.

2006: Medical marijuana is legalized under the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act.
2016: Medical cannabis program expanded to improve patient access and update dispensary regulations.
2022: The Cannabis Act legalizes adult-use cannabis, allowing recreational sales to begin immediately.

Possession Limits: Adults 21+ may possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis in public and up to 10 ounces at home.
Cultivation: Home cultivation is permitted, with a household limit of six plants (up to three mature).
Public Use: Public consumption is prohibited, restricted to private residences or designated areas.
Sale and Retail: Licensed recreational dispensaries operate under strict state regulations, including age verification and transaction limits.

Patient Eligibility: Qualifying conditions include chronic pain, cancer, PTSD, and other serious medical issues.
Product Access: Patients can purchase flower, oils, edibles, and other cannabis products from licensed compassion centers.
Program Details: Patients must register with Rhode Island’s medical marijuana program, which allows purchases from registered dispensaries. Registered patients are allowed home cultivation within the same plant limits as recreational users.

Regulatory Status: Rhode Island bans all hemp-derived intoxicants, including synthetic THC products like delta-8 THC.
Testing and Labeling: No testing or labeling requirements exist due to prohibition.
Age and Retail Restrictions: Not applicable, as hemp intoxicants are prohibited in Rhode Island.

Possession: Exceeding legal possession limits is treated as a civil violation or misdemeanor, with increasing fines and possible jail time for repeated or large-scale offenses.
Sale and Distribution: Unauthorized cannabis sale or distribution is a felony, with penalties escalating based on quantity.
Trafficking and Cultivation: Unlicensed large-scale cultivation or trafficking carries heavy fines and prison sentences. Licensed home growers must adhere to plant limits to avoid criminal charges.

Eligibility Criteria: Rhode Island’s Cannabis Act includes social equity measures, targeting individuals from communities affected by prior cannabis prohibition. Eligibility emphasizes applicants with past cannabis convictions or from economically disadvantaged areas.
Licensing Benefits: Social equity applicants may receive reduced fees and faster application processing.
Additional Support: The state provides grants and technical assistance to support equitable industry access, with additional programs under development.

Licensing Types: Rhode Island issues licenses for cultivation, processing, retail, and testing for both medical and recreational cannabis.
Regulatory Requirements: All licensees must comply with state security protocols, employee training standards, product tracking, and Rhode Island’s cannabis excise tax. Retailers must implement strict age-verification procedures.