New Marijuana Business Licensing Proposed in Rhode Island

A Rhode Island lawmaker has introduced a bill giving the state the authority to create a licensing process for marijuana-related businesses. The bill comes after some lawmakers found too many gray areas in the original bill. Licenses to “permit the use of marijuana on its premises” may be issued. The duty of completing this task has been given to the Department of Business Regulation.

No state-specified process is in place as far as opening a marijuana business or where it can be consumed, Providence Journal says. Representative Charlene Lima insists that a lack of regulation regarding medical marijuana had recently been brought to her attention. Marijuana-related businesses, such as a medical marijuana lounge called Elevated, was given a general retail license and permit for Sunday operations.

Lima said, “It seemed everybody was confused as to what to do. There were no laws in place to address the situation. I think the state needs to be the one to regulate the whole marijuana industry.”

New questions surrounding the medical marijuana industry and the creation of more marijuana-related businesses sparked the need for new licensing regulations. Lima’s bill is expected to be heard April 26^th by the House Corporations Committee.