Update: On June 14, House leadership rejected an amendment to the budget to expand the total number of dispensaries.
Update: On May 18 the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended measure be held for further study, tabling it for this year.
SB 176 is currently pending in the Rhode Island Senate. It amends the state’s Medical Marijuana Act, which currently only permits three medical marijuana dispensaries to operate in the entire state, to permit regulators to license up to six total dispensaries.
In recent years, the total number of registered medical cannabis patients in Rhode Island has nearly doubled to more than 17,000 people. It is necessary for regulators to license additional dispensaries in order to keep up with this increased demand.
You can contact your local officials in support of SB 176 by using the pre-written letter below.