Five Rhode Island-licensed medical professionals cannabis Compassion centers have been given the green light to start selling on or after December 1st.

“This milestone is the result of a carefully conducted process to ensure our state’s entry into this emerging market is safe, controlled and equitable,” Governor said Dan McKee according to a press release published on Tuesday. “It’s also a win for our nationwide economy and our strong, locally based cannabis supply chain, which consists of nearly 70 licensed growers, processors and manufacturers in addition to our licensed compassion centers.”

The following five applicants have been approved for “hybrid retail licenses” that allow them to sell both medical and recreational cannabis to adults over the age of 21 in Rhode Island:

• Aura of Rhode Island (Central Falls)
• Thomas C. Slater Center (Providence)
• Mother Earth Wellness (pawtucket)
• Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center (Portsmouth)
• RISE Warwick (Warwick)

“We are proud to begin selling adult-use products in Rhode Island just six months after the signing of cannabis legislation, marking the fastest implementation phase in the Northeast.” Matt SantacroceDeputy Interim Director of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, said.

Rhode Island Legislature gave gave the green light to two identical travel documents legalizing adult recreational cannabis use in May. McKee signed the Rhode Island Cannabis Act shortly thereafter, legalizing and safely regulating recreational cannabis use in the state.

What does Rhode Island’s Legalization The Bill say?

The Rhode Island Cannabis Act would allow adults over the age of 21 to purchase, own and grow up to six plants at home and purchase limited amounts of cannabis.

In addition to facilitating the automatic review and deletion of previous criminal records, the bill includes provisions to reinvest tax revenues from cannabis sales in communities adversely affected by cannabis prohibition. It also intends to aid justice…