§ 21-28.11-20. Inspections, audits and investigations. (a) As a condition of licensure, cannabis establishments are subject to inspection by the commission or personnel designated by the commission. Inspections shall occur periodically, at reasonable times and shall be limited in scope to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter and chapter 28.6 of this title […]
§ 21-28.11-21. Expiration and renewal. (a) Except pursuant to § 21-28.11-10(e), all licenses under this chapter shall be effective for one year from the date of issuance. (b) Subject to rules and regulations, the commission shall issue a renewal license within thirty (30) days of receipt of a renewal application and renewal license fee from […]
§ 21-28.11-22. Personal use of cannabis. (a) Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person twenty-one (21) years of age or older shall not be arrested, prosecuted, penalized, sanctioned or disqualified under the laws of the state in any manner, or denied any right […]
§ 21-28.11-23. Cannabis accessories authorized. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person twenty-one (21) years of age or older shall not be arrested, prosecuted, penalized, sanctioned or disqualified and shall not be subject to seizure or forfeiture of assets for possessing, purchasing or otherwise […]
§ 21-28.11-24. Lawful operation of cannabis establishments. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this chapter or in rules and regulations adopted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the following persons involved in the distribution of cannabis as authorized by this chapter shall not be arrested, […]
§ 21-28.11-25. Contracts pertaining to cannabis enforceable. It is the public policy of the state that contracts related to the operation of cannabis establishments under this chapter shall be enforceable. A contract entered into by a licensee or its agents as permitted pursuant to a valid license issued by the commission, or by those who […]
§ 21-28.11-26. Provision of professional services. A person engaged in a profession or occupation subject to licensure shall not be subject to disciplinary action by a professional licensing board solely for providing professional services to prospective or licensed cannabis establishments related to activity under this chapter that is not subject to criminal penalty under the […]
§ 21-28.11-27. Penalties. (a) Every person who engages in any activity regulated by this chapter without a license or registration required by the provisions of this chapter may be prosecuted and punished pursuant to the provisions of chapter 28 of this title (the “uniform controlled substances act”) or other applicable law. (b) Every person who […]
§ 21-28.11-27.1. No minors on the premises of marijuana establishments. A cannabis establishment shall not allow any person who is under twenty-one (21) years of age to be present inside any room where cannabis or cannabis products are stored, produced, or sold by the cannabis establishment unless the person who is under twenty-one (21) years […]
§ 21-28.11-27.2. Drug awareness program. The department of behavioral healthcare, development disabilities and hospitals (BHDDH) shall develop substance abuse prevention programs and student assistance programs for youth pursuant to chapters 21.2 and 21.3 of title 16, and in accordance with the criteria set forth in §§ 16-21.2-4(a) and 16-21.3-2(a). The drug awareness program shall provide […]
§ 21-28.11-28. Liability to state under this chapter as debt. Any liability to the state under this chapter shall constitute a debt to the state. Once a statement of debt naming a licensee is recorded, registered or filed, any such debt shall constitute a lien on all commercial property owned by a licensee in the […]
§ 21-28.11-29. Prohibited activities. (a) This chapter shall not permit: (1) Any person to undertake any task under the influence of cannabis when doing so would constitute negligence or professional malpractice; (2) The smoking or vaporizing of cannabis: (i) In a school bus or other form of public transportation; (ii) On any school grounds; (iii) […]
§ 21-28.11-3. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the following meanings: (1) “Administrator” means the administrator of the cannabis office appointed by the governor pursuant to the provisions of § 21-28.11-18.1. (2) “Adult use cannabis” or “recreational cannabis” means cannabis which may be legally possessed and consumed […]
§ 21-28.11-30. Employer’s duties. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preempt or limit the duties of any employer under applicable law, or shall permit an employer to require an employee to disclose sealed or expunged offenses, unless otherwise required by law. History of Section.P.L. 2022, ch. 31, § 1, effective May 25, 2022; […]
§ 21-28.11-31. Social equity assistance program and fund. (a)(1) Findings. The general assembly finds that additional efforts are needed to reduce barriers to ownership and/or participation in the cannabis industry for individuals and communities most adversely impacted by the enforcement of cannabis-related laws. (2) In the interest of establishing a legal cannabis industry that is […]
§ 21-28.11-32. Severability. If any provision of this chapter or its application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared […]
§ 21-28.11-4. Cannabis control commission. (a) Establishment of commission. There is hereby established an independent commission known as the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission (commission). The purpose of the commission is to oversee the regulation, licensing and control of adult use and medical cannabis and upon transfer of powers pursuant to the provisions of § […]
§ 21-28.11-5. Powers and duties of the commission. (a) Subject to the state code of ethics and any internal ethics code adopted by the commission, the commission shall have all the powers necessary and reasonable to carry out and effectuate its purposes, including, but not limited to, the power to: (1) Adopt, amend or repeal […]
§ 21-28.11-6. Cannabis advisory board. (a) There is hereby established a cannabis advisory board, which is directed to work in collaboration with the commission and the administrator of the cannabis office to advise and issue recommendations on the use, commerce, regulation and effects of adult-use and medical cannabis within the state. The advisory board shall […]
§ 21-28.11-7. Licensed cannabis cultivators. (a) Except as provided pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section or § 21-28.11-8, there shall be a moratorium on the issuance of new cannabis cultivator licenses until the date that is two (2) years following the final issuance of the commission’s rules and regulations pursuant to […]
