Cannabis Control Commission hosts first listening session in Rhode Island to gain public insight
The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission will host the first of several statewide listening sessions Thursday.
These sessions are for the Cannabis Control Commission to hear from the public, retailers, patients, and anyone else impacted by the industry.
The newly formed commission is looking for insight as it continues to set rules and regulations for adult-use recreational marijuana.
Chair of the commission Kim Ahern says it's a top priority to hear directly from those in the business.
Rhode Island has nine authorized retail dispensaries already and the recreational legalization law lets the commission allow up to 24 more retail-only stores.
Ahern says she hopes the commission can start issuing more licenses for new dispensaries in 2024.
"I think that we have to be business friendly because when these businesses succeed, Rhode Island succeeds. So, yes, are we regulators? Yeah of course. But we also have to keep in mind just the overall industry, and that this is new and that we also need to be responsible for its growth," Ahern said.
Thursday's meeting is at 9:30 at the Roger Williams University School of Law.
The next one will be held Friday, August 4th at the Public Utilities Commission in Warwick from 1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.
Another session will be held Wednesday, August 9th at the Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island from 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
The last one for the summer will be a virtual meeting on Friday, August 18th.
