Rhode Island Cannabis Regulators Pause New Hemp Retailer Licenses
July 22, 2025
Commission awaits findings of a THC drink study mandated by General Assembly
Commission awaits findings of a THC drink study mandated by General Assembly
THC drinks derived from hemp were illegal in Rhode Island until last August 2024, when the state began allowing low levels of delta-9 THC
“Unregulated CBD product packaging is not an accurate indication of the product constituents.”
The law directs local boards of health to monitor the sale of any edible hemp products, including taking samples from stores for testing
Misinformed legislation would hand control of hemp beverage sales to liquor stores and cannabis dispensaries, excluding the farms that built the state’s hemp market.
“I think we are going to see a large chunk of states start to really put this movement under a microscope—and hopefully take an optimistic approach in seeking ways to usher in and guide this industry rather than stymie.”
Law would prohibit raw hemp above 0.3% THC of any concentration and for processed hemp the lesser of 0.3% THC on a total weight basis or 10 mg per package, effective Jan. 1
The products continue to pop up across the state even after state agencies have declared them illegal
Opponents of a proposed bill say it “is unfair in that it seems designed to allow liquor distributors to make an endrun around the state’s strict cannabis rules.”
Crime labs repeatedly told lawmakers and budget officials that they couldn’t distinguish between hemp and marijuana without new testing resources. The issue got almost no attention.
