“We do not just plan to stand out amongst other Rhode Island [cannabis] retailers, but Massachusetts retailers as well.”
Anyone who knows Aquidneck Island knows that the Ocean State hamlet is magical, and now there’s even more enchantment serving Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth with the opening of Newport Cannabis Co. in the latter. Actually, James Moran told us the team there is looking to lure in consumers from beyond the bridges. We spoke to Moran, who was formerly the director of sales at the Rhode Island cultivator Hangar 420, about the new dispensary project he helped stand up and why it’s so special.
JM: What inspired Newport Cannabis Co. to open a dispensary in this location, and how do you plan to stand out from other retailers in Rhode Island’s cannabis market?
BN: We picked the Portsmouth location, as our company has some serious ties to Aquidneck Island. Our Founder and CEO Octavius Prince has roots in Newport back to the early 1900s and being able to set up our shop on Aquidneck Island has always been the dream. The goal has always been to bring our care and love of cannabis back to our own community, and Newport Cannabis Co. is that dream realized.
We plan to give customers and patients the highest quality cannabis possible at the best value. We do not just plan to stand out amongst other Rhode Island retailers, but Massachusetts retailers as well. The goal is to keep Rhode Islanders in state, not only with competitive pricing, but with cleaner, higher quality cannabis.
Newport attracts a unique mix of locals and visitors—how do you see cannabis tourism influencing your business, and are there any initiatives you’re planning to tap into that market?
We hope to see the summer tourism boost sales, but are also making a concerted effort to connect with the local community in an honest organic way. In terms of the summer months, we are offering same-day delivery to all hotels, AirBnbs, and marinas to allow visitors to Newport to access the cannabis they want without leaving Newport.
We have also partnered with many Newport summer staples such as Newport Folk Fest, Newport Jazz Fest, weekly NewportFilm events, and more to try to capitalize on tourists coming to town. You will see the Newport Cannabis Co. banner flying over beaches, our coasters in many local bars, and our 20% flyers all over town as well. In short, we hope to see cannabis tourism help sales, while also leaning heavily into the Aquidneck Island and surrounding RI communities to sustain year round business.
How do you plan to educate both new consumers and seasoned enthusiasts about cannabis in a way that builds trust and sets the tone for a welcoming experience in Newport?
When we took over the store from Greenleaf there were a lot of things wrong with the way the business was being run, but the one overwhelming positive takeaway we heard was how incredible the budtenders were. NCC was lucky to take over such a knowledgeable and caring staff that takes the time to help a new cannabis user find the right gummy or a seasoned user find the new strain that is going to have them couch locked. We will continue to find ways to teach customers about terpenes, different cannabinoids, and new ways to imbibe.
One amazing product we developed as Hangar 420 in conjunction with Greenspace Labs is TetraPX, a 1;1 THC;CBD sugarless pill you take, similar to an Advil, with terpenes formulated specifically to help stop the need for over the counter pills like the aforementioned Advil. NCC and Hangar 420 were founded on helping people with this amazing plant, and our goal is to continue to do so in any way possible.
Looking ahead, what role do you see Newport Cannabis Co. playing in the broader Rhode Island cannabis community—whether through events, advocacy, or local partnerships?
I see Newport Cannabis Co. playing a huge part in the Rhode Island Cannabis community as our goal is to help grow this community. Rhode Island currently only has seven active stores, while our neighbor to the north Massachusetts has almost 400. This has led to many Rhode Islanders leaving the state to purchase their cannabis as the Massachusetts market has gone so incredibly low with their prices, and in a lot of cases their quality.
The transition from Rhode Island’s number one cultivator [Hangar 420] to a vertically-integrated shop as NCC has allowed us to not only compete and beat Massachusetts prices, but to also hold strict to the Rhode Island cannabis standard. We are able to compete with Massachusetts prices with our in-house products, while allowing local talented Rhode Island cultivators to sell their goods at our store for prices that will keep their businesses thriving. In terms of local partnerships, we proudly work with a number of local charities including the Potter League Animal Rescue, Nora’s Haven, the Aquidneck Land Trust, the Fort Adams Trust, and many more. We want to show the state all the amazing things that can come from cannabis.
