Rhode Island's Cannabis Control Commission approved a timeline to begin awarding 24 new retail cannabis licenses as early as May 2026. The application deadline is December 29, 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, the Cannabis Office will have 90 days to review applications before a lottery. The timeline allows a 60-day window for applicants to secure local approvals post-application deadline, a point of contention among some industry members who argue it penalizes those who were better prepared. Concerns were raised about fairness, particularly for social equity and worker cooperative applicants who may lack resources. The commission has reserved six licenses for social equity applicants and six for worker-owned cooperatives. Social equity applicants are currently going through a certification process.

Rhode Island Sets Timeline for New Cannabis Dispensary Licenses

Oct 21, 2025

Source:

Marijuana Moment

Rhode Island is finally laying out the roadmap for its recreational cannabis expansion, and it looks like 24 new retail licenses could be awarded by May 2026. The state’s Cannabis Control Commission just approved a timeline that sets a December 29, 2025, application deadline, followed by a rigorous 90-day review and a lottery process. A big win for the community is the reservation of twelve slots specifically for social equity applicants and worker-owned cooperatives, ensuring that the local "little guy" has a seat at the table.

However, the rollout isn't without drama; some industry vets feel a 60-day post-deadline grace period for local zoning approvals is unfair to those who already have their ducks in a row. For everyday tokers, this news is a reason to be stoked because more licenses mean better accessibility and more diverse options across the state’s six geographic zones. It’s a sign that the market is maturing, even if the bureaucratic wheels are turning a bit slowly to ensure a fair and robust industry for everyone.

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