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Rhode IslandS33132026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT .

Sponsored By: Jacob Bissaillon (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.

Retail cap, set‑asides and $30K fee

The Commission can issue up to 24 retail licenses, with no more than 4 per zone. Each zone reserves one spot for a workers’ cooperative and one for a social equity applicant. Retailers must be 21+, pass a background check, be current on taxes, meet local zoning, pay a nonrefundable application fee, and pay a $30,000 yearly fee to the Social Equity Fund. The law cancels prior social equity and retail application processes, orders new ones within 60 days, and refunds fees paid under the old retail process. Lawsuits for the canceled processes are barred.

Legal protection for licensed cannabis work

Licensed cannabis businesses, their owners, staff, and volunteers are protected from arrest, prosecution, searches, and penalties for actions that follow this law and Commission rules. State employees and Commission members get the same protection for actions done within their job duties. These protections do not override other laws that specifically allow enforcement.

Fair‑chance licensing and equity access

The law broadens who can apply for cannabis licenses. A business counts as a social equity applicant when people harmed by past cannabis enforcement own and control at least 51%. Family ties to a qualifying case before May 25, 2022 can also count. Prior simple cannabis possession cannot be used to deny or yank a license. The Commission may not use juvenile cases, arrests without conviction, expunged cases, minor non‑jailable misdemeanors, or crimes not related to the job. Applicants can show rehabilitation; two years without a new conviction helps. If denial is based on a conviction, the Commission must give written notice and 30 business days to respond. You must disclose past and new convictions, and you must pay for an FBI fingerprint background check.

New rules and limits for growers

The state pauses new cultivator licenses until two years after final rules. After that, any new cultivator is capped at 10,000 sq. ft. of mature-plant canopy. The law explains how to measure canopy; seedling‑only areas do not count. Growers must register sites, follow local zoning, allow inspections, and track every plant in seed‑to‑sale. Starting December 1, 2022, seed‑to‑sale tags are free for medical patient cardholders and authorized primary caregivers. Cultivators cannot sell directly to consumers. Beginning August 1, 2022, licensed medical cultivators may convert to hybrid (adult‑use + medical) by paying an added fee; that fee goes to the Social Equity Fund. Applicants must meet age, background, tax, application, and annual‑fee rules; annual fees go to the Social Equity Fund. Name/address changes and lost licenses carry small fines/fees. Solvent extraction with compressed flammable gas is not protected by this chapter.

Rules for cannabis manufacturers

A manufacturer/processor/wholesaler license lets you buy from cultivators and sell only to other licensed businesses. You must be 21+, pass a background check, show tax compliance, and pay a nonrefundable application fee and an annual fee set by the Commission. Annual fees go to the Social Equity Fund. You must report purchases and sales and allow inspections.

Stricter testing and lab rules

All cannabis products must be collected and tested by a licensed lab before sale. Labs must meet licensing, background‑check, quality, and independence rules and allow inspections. Labs and their immediate family members cannot own or work for growers, manufacturers, or retailers. Labs cannot sell to consumers and must report contamination within 48 hours to health and environmental agencies. Labs face admin deadlines, small fines, and replacement fees for license documents.

Commission control over licenses and fees

The Commission can set application and annual license fees by rule. No one has a guaranteed right to a license. The Commission may deny or pause applications and is not liable for money applicants already spent.

Retailers face inspections and small fines

Licensed retailers, agents, and employees must follow Commission rules and job‑bias laws. They must allow inspections. Name or address changes must be reported in 10 days or face a fine up to $150. Lost licenses must be reported and replaced within 10 days for up to $100. New criminal convictions must be reported.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jacob Bissaillon

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jonathon Acosta

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 97 • No: 3

House vote • 6/8/2026

THE RI CANNABIS ACT PASSAGE IN CONCURRENCE

Yes: 63 • No: 0

Senate vote • 6/4/2026

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT Passage

Yes: 34 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor — Chapter 065

    6/10/2026Governor

  2. Transmitted to Governor

    6/9/2026Governor

  3. House passed in concurrence

    6/8/2026House

  4. Placed on House Calendar (06/08/2026)

    6/5/2026House

  5. Senate read and passed

    6/4/2026Senate

  6. Placed on Senate Calendar (06/04/2026)

    6/2/2026Senate

  7. Committee recommends passage

    6/2/2026

  8. Scheduled for consideration (06/02/2026)

    5/30/2026

  9. Committee recommended measure be held for further study

    5/26/2026

  10. Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/26/2026)

    5/22/2026

  11. Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary

    5/22/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • S3313 - As Introduced

    5/22/2026

    HTMLPDF

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