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License Types
Currently Available

Rhode Island has legalized cannabis for both medical and adult use purposes. Licensing for medical facilities is currently overseen by the Office of Cannabis Regulation within the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, and it is likely that this same office will be in charge of adult-use licensing once the state licensing period opens. Rhode Island is not currently accepting applications for medical or adult-use facilities but will be offering the following license types:

  • Cannabis Cultivator Licenses
  • Cannabis Product Manufacturer Licenses
  • Hybrid Cannabis Retailer Licenses
  • Cannabis Retailer Licenses
  • Cannabis Testing Laboratory Licenses
What You Need To Apply

In order to apply for a license in Rhode Island, here are the top items you want to complete to be successful starting your journey into the cannabis space:

  1. Decide what type of business (or businesses) you want to pursue cannabis business licenses for.

    Review the list of license types available for application to determine what might be the best fit for you and your business aspirations.

  2. Assemble Your Team

    The next step is to gather your team of experts. Having financial backing in the form of investors is crucial so that you are able to procure consultation services, a location, and other resources along the way. Don’t make the mistake of getting knee-deep in your plan and then running out of money to see it through. After you’ve made sure your funding is set, assemble your team of people you can trust. Specifically, you want people who have experience in the industry and who are well-informed so that you can highlight your team’s expertise in your application.

  3. Secure a Property

    Prior to obtaining a license you will need to secure property that is zoned correctly and able to support the needs of a cannabis business. This can, at times, be the most challenging part of the process. Our team has worked with countless municipalities to assist our clients in obtaining compliant properties in correctly zoned areas.

  4. Draft Your Application

    Application requirements vary between Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and narrative forms surrounding the expectations you have for your business. Either way, these need to be compliant with all state, local, and federal regulations. Ensuring that you are compliant is one of the most important steps in the application process. Canna Business Services has years of experience drafting award-winning applications for our clients in competitive states. Set up a meeting with us today to discuss how we can help you with your business.

  5. Read more on our blog about how to take the first steps towards licensure.

History of Cannabis in
Rhode Island

Rhode Island legalized medical use of cannabis in 2006 through the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act and introduced the nation’s second medical cannabis dispensary system (after California) in 2009. In 2022, Governor Dan McKee signed the Rhode Island Cannabis Act legalizing adult use of cannabis.