Residents of the Ocean State got an end of the year treat with the launch of recreational cannabis taking place on December 1st. Five medical marijuana business were issued a hybrid cannabis license from the Department of Business Regulation shortly before Thanksgiving. With the hybrid license these companies can now sell both medical and recreational marijuana. From start to finish Rhode Island was able to launch their recreational cannabis sales in less than 7 months. The first sale took place at Mother Earth Wellness in Pawtucket shortly after 5am.
In an interview with WPRI Matt Santacroce, the head of Rhode Island’s Department of Business Regulation confirmed that the state has also taken steps to ensure that medical marijuana patients will not be negatively impacted by the launch of recreational sales. Stores are expected to ensure patients have adequate parking, receive prioritized entry into the building and retail queue, access to private consultation areas, as well as a healthy level of inventory and full variety of products offered to patients.
The five recreational dispensaries open as of December 1st are:
- Aura of Rhode Island, 1136 Lonsdale Ave in Central Falls
- Mother Earth Wellness, 125 Esten Ave in Pawtucket
- Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center, 1637 W Main Road in Portsmouth
- Thomas C. Slater Center, 1 Corliss Street in Providence
- RISE, 380 Jefferson Blvd in Warwick
Find the full story from The Providence Journal on their website here: https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/2022/11/30/how-to-buy-retail-pot-in-rhode-island-legal-recreational-marijuana/69686535007/
Check out the official press release from Governor Dan McKee here: https://www.ri.gov/press/view/44778
