The launch of Rhode Island’s retail cannabis industry is officially set for next Thursday, December 1, WPRI reports.
Consumers aged 21 or older will be able to purchase cannabis products from five of the state’s six licensed medical cannabis “compassion centers” after officials approved hybrid retail cannabis licenses on Tuesday for each company that had applied for one. The new licenses will allow the retailers to sell cannabis products for both the medical and adult-use markets.
Rhode Island officials awarded licenses to the following cannabis compassion centers:
- Aura of Rhode Island (in Central Falls)
- Thomas C. Slater Center (in Providence)
- Mother Earth Wellness (in Pawtucket)
- Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center (in Portsmouth)
- RISE Dispensary (in Warwick)
Gov. Dan McKee called the licensing step a “milestone” for the state denoting that its “entry into this emerging market was done in a safe, controlled and equitable manner.”
“It is also a win for our statewide economy and our strong, locally based cannabis supply chain, which consists of nearly 70 licensed cultivators, processors and manufacturers in addition to our licensed compassion centers.” — Gov. McKee, via WPRI
Rhode Island became the 19th state to legalize adult-use cannabis in May after state lawmakers approved a legalization bill which was signed into law promptly by the governor. Under the measure, adults aged 21+ can purchase and possess up to an ounce of cannabis and keep 10 ounces at home for personal use. Adults can also home-grow up to six plants, including three mature and three immature plants. The state plans to license 33 cannabis retail locations in total and impose a 10% excise tax on the industry alongside the state’s 7% sales tax, with an additional 3% tax which will go to municipalities.
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