Rhode Island lawmakers are poised to pass legislation removing the state’s residency requirements for cannabis industry license-holders, the Rhode Island Current reports.
The legislation, sponsored by state Democrats Rep. Scott Slater and Sen. Jacob Bissaillon, removes the requirement that state-licensed cannabis businesses be majority-owned by Rhode Island residents. The proposals come after U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose halted cannabis industry licensing after multiple lawsuits challenged the requirements as unconstitutional.
“This language that we have in this bill would get this licensing process back on track and allow the Cannabis Control Commission and board to do their job and rectify this situation.” — Slater, in a statement, via the Current
The legislation also removes some social equity provisions, like the designation of “disproportionately impacted” areas for social equity licenses. However, it also broadens the definition of social equity applicants to include individuals with at least 51% ownership of a company that has been disproportionately impacted by cannabis-related law enforcement.
The Senate bill soared through the House in a 63-0 vote on Monday, while the Senate was scheduled to take up the House version of the bill at the end of its session on Tuesday.
There are 20 licenses still up for grabs amid the licensing pause, with around 100 applicants waiting for a resolution.
