Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission is working through how licenses will be allocated, and exactly how many will be issued for the rollout of new adult use cannabis retail licenses.
Originally, the state expected to issue 24 new retail licenses across six geographic zones (pictured right), with a maximum of four licenses per zone. Under that model, six licenses would be reserved for certified social equity applicants, six for worker-owned cooperatives, and the remaining 12 for general retail applicants.
However, the Commission’s plan to evenly distribute licenses has been complicated by an uneven concentration of the nearly 100 applications submitted across each zone.
31 applications were received for Zone 6, which includes East Providence, Pawtucket, and most of the East Bay. Only 2 applications were submitted for Zone 1 in the Northwest region of the state; and both of those were for social equity licenses.
Regulators have indicated they may only issue up to 20 licenses statewide once eligibility reviews and the lottery process conclude. Staff are still vetting applications before they can be qualified to enter into the lottery; which is expected as early as May of this year. The commission is also considering a staggered release of licenses to avoid oversaturating Rhode Island’s small market.
We continue to monitor the Commissions process and decision making. If you have questions about eligibility, zoning, site control, or the evolving licensing timeline, our firm is here to help guide you through every stage. Please contact PLDO partner Benjamin L. Rackliffe at brackliffe@pldolaw.com to learn more.
