The bill amends Section 21-28.11-10.1 of the Rhode Island Cannabis Act to establish a transitional period and transfer of authority for the regulation of cannabis, specifically addressing the sale of adult use cannabis by hybrid cannabis retailers. During this transitional period, the office of cannabis regulation is tasked with prescribing forms, procedures, and requirements to facilitate the acquisition of hybrid retail and cultivation licenses by compassion centers and cultivators. These requirements include, but are not limited to, physical premises arrangements, inventory and sales tracking, maintenance of medical marijuana program service levels, operating plans, and advertising of cannabis products. Notably, the bill introduces new legal language that allows hybrid cannabis cultivators to advertise regarding cannabis products during the transitional period.

The bill also outlines the transfer of regulatory and enforcement authority from various departments to the commission or the cannabis office upon the final issuance of the commission's rules and regulations. This includes the transfer of powers from the department of business regulation, the department of environmental management, and the department of health, with certain exceptions. The term "office of cannabis regulation" will be replaced with "cannabis office" in all general laws or regulations following the final issuance of the commission's rules. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7505: 21-28.11-10.1