The polls have shown that the majority of Rhode Island residents and Governor Dan McKee are in support of adult-use legalization.

The state took a significant step towards legalization when a negotiationg group of state legislators announced on March 1st of 2022 that they had reached a compromise on legalizing adult-use cannabis.

The Cannabis Control Commission will be formed to regulate the legal cannabis market and new regulatory framework associated to the bill. The legalization will include a social equity component to communities that have been disproportionally impacted by cannabis criminalization, similar to other states that have recently legalized adult-use cannabis.

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With adult-use legalization on the horizon, a wait and see approach to The Ocean State probably makes the most sense. As with other states, we expect the current incumbents to enjoy a first mover advantage but it is unclear now how many licensed operators will ultimately be allowed.