All Roll Calls
Yes: 92 • No: 9
Rhode IslandH85442026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT .
Sponsored By: Scott A. Slater (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
14 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 9 mixed.
New fees and rules for cannabis retailers
The law caps retail licenses at 24 statewide, with no more than 4 per zone. In each zone, one slot is for a workers’ cooperative and one is for a social equity applicant. Retailers must pay a $30,000 yearly license fee, plus a nonrefundable application fee set by the commission. Applicants must be 21+, pass a background check, show tax compliance, and get local zoning approval. Licensees must follow commission rules and fair‑employment laws and allow inspections. You must report name or address changes within 10 days or face a fine up to $150. If you lose your license document, the replacement fee is capped at $100. You must report new convictions, and the commission can suspend or revoke your license for violations.
New cultivator licenses paused; canopy cap
New cultivator licenses are paused until two years after the Commission issues final rules. Existing medical cultivators licensed under chapter 28.6 keep operating. When new licenses open, each new cultivator is capped at a 10,000 square‑foot canopy. The Commission must consider market findings before issuing new licenses.
Operating rules for growers and makers
To be a cultivator, you must be 21+, pass a background check, be current on taxes, pay nonrefundable and annual fees, and agree to inspections. You must have a cultivator license to operate and may grow only at Commission‑approved sites that meet local zoning. Cultivators can sell only to licensed entities, and neither cultivators nor manufacturers may sell to consumers. Using compressed, flammable gas for extraction is not protected under this chapter. Breaking these rules can lead to enforcement and loss of license.
Stronger testing rules for cannabis products
All cannabis products must be tested by a licensed lab before sale. Tests must follow Department of Health and Commission rules and check cannabinoids and contaminants. Labs must report any contamination to the Commission, Health, and Environmental Management within 48 hours. These rules improve safety but add testing steps and costs for businesses.
Background checks and fairer license reviews
All applicants must submit fingerprints for a national FBI background check and pay the cost. The Commission cannot deny or revoke a license only because of a past cannabis conviction that this law decriminalizes, or an equivalent out‑of‑state offense. Meeting qualifications does not guarantee a license; the Commission can deny, pause, or cap licenses and is not liable for applicant costs. Rhode Island residency and 51% in‑state ownership are no longer required to apply.
Fair-chance licensing and record limits
Applicants and licensees must truthfully disclose past and new convictions. Not disclosing can lead to denial, suspension, revocation, or criminal prosecution. The commission cannot use juvenile records, arrests without conviction, expunged records, certain misdemeanors, or unrelated convictions. If it moves to deny or revoke for related convictions, it must give written notice, the conviction report, 30 business days to respond, and a final decision with appeal steps and the earliest reapply date (no more than two years).
Licensing rules for cannabis manufacturers
If you make or process cannabis products and do not grow, you must hold a manufacturer license. You can buy from licensed cultivators and sell only to other licensed entities, and you must report all purchases and sales. You must be 21+, pass a background check, show tax compliance, pay a nonrefundable application fee, and pay an annual license fee set by the commission to the Social Equity Fund. You must allow inspections, report name or address changes within 10 days or face a fine up to $150, and pay up to $100 if you need a replacement license. You must report any new convictions, and the commission can suspend or revoke your license for violations. If you follow the law and rules, you and your staff are protected from arrest or penalties for that compliant conduct.
Mandatory lab testing before cannabis sales
No cannabis or product can be sold or marketed until a licensed lab tests it. Products must meet commission and Health Department testing rules. Testing covers potency, cannabinoid profile, and contaminants like pesticides, metals, microbes, and solvents. These safety checks add steps and costs for producers and sellers.
Medical cultivators can add adult-use
Beginning August 1, 2022, licensed medical cultivators may operate as hybrid cultivators for both medical and adult use. They must pay an extra license fee set during the transition. The fee goes to the Social Equity Fund. Hybrid growers must make good‑faith efforts not to harm medical supply and patient access.
New social equity rules and reset
A social equity business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by people harmed by past cannabis enforcement. Qualifying people include those arrested, convicted, or adjudicated for cannabis offenses before May 25, 2022, or members of impacted families. The law removes the old “disproportionately impacted area” criteria. It cancels prior equity and retail application processes, requires new ones within 60 days, and refunds fees paid in the voided retail application process.
New tracking and compliance for cultivators
Cultivators must track every plant in a seed‑to‑sale system. The commission can set and change cultivator application and license fees. Cultivators must allow inspections and report name or address changes within 10 days or face a fine up to $150. Replacement license fees are capped at $100, and an updated license ID requires a fee set by rule. You must report any new convictions. The commission can suspend or revoke a license, and can suspend while a disqualification decision is pending. If you follow the law and rules, you and your staff are protected from arrest or penalties for that compliant conduct.
Free grow tags for medical patients
Beginning December 1, 2022, patient cardholders and authorized primary caregivers do not pay for seed‑to‑sale cannabis tags. This lowers out‑of‑pocket costs for medical home growers.
Legal protections for compliant operators
Licensed retailers, lab licensees and agents, and state staff are protected from arrest, prosecution, or penalties for actions that follow this law and Commission rules. Searches or seizures still apply where the law allows. Protection applies only to conduct within this chapter and, for state staff, within their job duties.
Rules and fees for cannabis labs
To run a testing lab, you must be 21+, pass an FBI fingerprint background check, be current on taxes, and pay a nonrefundable application fee and an annual license fee. Labs and their agents must register with the Commission. Labs cannot sell to consumers. People who own or work at a lab, and their immediate family, cannot own or work for a grower, manufacturer, or retailer. Labs must report name or address changes within 10 days or face a fine up to $150. Lost license replacement can cost up to $100.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Scott A. Slater
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/9/2026
RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT In Concurrence Passage
Yes: 29 • No: 8
House vote • 6/4/2026
THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT PASSAGE
Yes: 63 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor — Chapter 064
6/10/2026GovernorTransmitted to Governor
6/9/2026GovernorSenate passed in concurrence
6/9/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Calendar (06/09/2026)
6/5/2026SenateHouse read and passed
6/4/2026HousePlaced on House Calendar (06/04/2026)
6/2/2026HouseCommittee recommends passage
6/2/2026Scheduled for consideration (06/02/2026)
5/29/2026Committee recommended measure be held for further study
5/21/2026Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/21/2026)
5/15/2026Introduced, referred to House Corporations
5/13/2026House
Bill Text
H8544 - As Introduced
5/13/2026
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