RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS RETAIL LICENSING UPDATE – JANUARY 2026
Rhode Island’s cannabis retail licensing process enters its review phase this month. Applications were due December 29, 2025, for up to 24 new adult-use retail licenses across six geographic zones. The state’s Cannabis Control Commission begins its 90-day application review process on January 1, 2026, with a lottery tentatively scheduled for May 2026. Applicants have until March 1, 2026 to provide final municipal zoning approvals. The commission can award 24 licenses total: 12 open licenses, 6 social equity licenses, and 6 worker cooperative licenses, with 4 licenses maximum per geographic zone.
Key Facts:
- Applications closed December 29, 2025
- 24 total licenses available statewide
- 90-day review period: January 1 – March 31, 2026
- Lottery scheduled for May 2026
- Final zoning approval deadline: March 1, 2026
STATE LICENSING PROCESS TIMELINE
Current Status:
The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission is conducting its 90-day review of retail license applications submitted by the December 29, 2025 deadline. Applications are being evaluated across three categories: general retail (12 licenses), social equity (6 licenses), and worker cooperatives (6 licenses). The state received a total of 98 retail applications.
The breakdown across 6 zones:
- 23 Social Equity apps (6 licenses reserved)
- 56 General Retail apps (12 licenses available)
- 19 Workers’ Cooperative apps (6 licenses reserved)
Geographic Distribution:
Licenses are distributed equally across six zones:
- Zone 1: Burrillville, Cumberland, Glocester, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Woonsocket
- Zone 2: Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, Central Falls, Providence
- Zone 3: Coventry, Foster, Scituate, West Greenwich, West Warwick
- Zone 4: East Greenwich, North Kingstown, Cranston, Warwick
- Zone 5: Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Narragansett, Richmond, South Kingstown, Westerly
- Zone 6: Barrington, Bristol, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, New Shoreham, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Warren, East Providence, Newport, Pawtucket
Next Steps:
- March 1, 2026: Final municipal zoning approval deadline
- March 31, 2026: End of 90-day review period
- May 2026: Lottery selection process (tentative)
MUNICIPAL ZONING REQUIREMENTS
Zoning Approval Deadline:
Applicants must provide evidence of final municipal zoning approval by March 1, 2026. This includes completion of any appeal periods. Failure to meet this deadline results in automatic disqualification from the lottery process.
Local Ordinance Considerations:
Municipalities have varying approaches to cannabis retail:
- Some require special use permits
- Others permit by-right in designated zones
- Several municipalities have opted out entirely
- Buffer requirements vary by locality (typically 500-1,000 feet from schools)
Strategic Considerations:
Successful applicants must navigate both state licensing requirements and local zoning processes. Early engagement with municipal officials and thorough site selection are critical for meeting the March 1 deadline.
LOTTERY PROCESS AND SELECTION
Hybrid Selection Method:
Rhode Island uses a “qualified lottery” system combining merit-based screening with random selection. All applications meeting threshold criteria enter the lottery pool.
Selection Timeline:
The Cannabis Control Commission tentatively scheduled the lottery for May 2026, though officials reserved the right to delay based on application volume and review complexity.
Post-Selection Requirements:
Provisional license holders have up to 9 months to:
- Secure final municipal permits
- Build compliant facilities
- Pass state inspections
- Implement required security systems
Market Opportunity
Rhode Island’s existing seven dispensaries generated over $323 million in combined sales since adult-use launched in December 2022. With only seven current retailers serving the entire state, successful license winners will enter a market with significant pent-up demand and limited competition.
The 24 new licenses represent the largest expansion of Rhode Island’s cannabis market since legalization. Geographic zone distribution ensures market access across urban and rural areas while preventing over-concentration in any single region.
The Bottom Line
Rhode Island’s cannabis retail licensing process is now in the review phase, with applications submitted by December 29, 2025 under evaluation through March 2026. The key immediate deadline is March 1, 2026 for final municipal zoning approvals. Applicants must ensure all local permits are final and appeal periods concluded to remain eligible for the May 2026 lottery. With 24 licenses available across six zones and strong market fundamentals, winning applicants will enter one of the most attractive cannabis retail markets in New England.
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