Marijuana Moment
By Christopher Shea, Rhode Island Current
Seventy-five prospective Rhode Island cannabis retailers will soon receive $7,500 refunds as state regulators prepare to restart the licensing process that was halted under a federal court order.
The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission on Friday received an update on the timeline for restarting the state’s cannabis retail licensing process after lawmakers eliminated the residency requirement that prompted multiple federal lawsuits that upended the first round of applications.
The new cannabis law allows any would-be shop owners who applied the first time for a license to be refunded any fees paid to the commission.
“We understand there may be questions about where things stand and where we are headed,” Michelle Reddish, the commission’s new chairperson, said during the meeting. “While we can’t respond to every headline or comment, we remain committed to being transparent about our work and providing updates where we can.”
Mariana Ormonde, chief legal counsel for the commission, said during Friday’s meeting that emails would be sent to the owners of would-be pot shops who paid the initial fee with their applications.
All prospective retailers are required to pay an application fee of $7,500 and a yearly $30,000 licensing fee. Fees were waived for the first year for approved social equity applicants.
Over half of all applicants—56—sought general retail licenses. Another 19 were worker cooperatives while the remaining 23 were for social equity applicants, or those adversely affected by the war on drugs.
“Starting today, after this meeting, the office will contact each applicant via email to ensure that the name that is going to be going out on that check and the address is correct,” Ormonde said.
Since April 8, the Cannabis Control Commission has been barred from reviewing the 97 license applications submitted for 20 new retail cannabis licenses after a federal judge halted the licensing process amid three lawsuits challenging the state’s requirement that the majority of a business must be owned by a Rhode Island resident.
But on June 10, Gov. Dan McKee (D) signed a pair of bills to undo the contested provision. The new law voided the original application process and directs the Cannabis Control Commission to open a new license application process within 60 days, which would be August 10.
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Meanwhile the the Rhode Island Cannabis Commission only has good news for us all, according to their latest update.
Rhode Island Cannabis Sales Reach More Than $44 Million During Second Quarter of 2026
WARWICK, RI – The Cannabis Control Commission today announced that Rhode Island’s regulated cannabis market continued its steady growth during the second quarter of 2026, with combined retail and wholesale cannabis activity totaling $44.3 million between April 1 and June 30.
The second quarter saw continued strength across both the retail and wholesale markets. Retail cannabis sales reached $30.6 million, while wholesale transfers between licensed cannabis businesses totaled $13.8 million, reflecting continued activity throughout Rhode Island’s regulated supply chain. Together, retail and wholesale sales increased by more than $2.1 million over the previous quarter, demonstrating the continued maturation of the state’s regulated cannabis marketplace.
Consumer purchasing patterns also remained consistent throughout the quarter. The average retail purchase was $35.69, nearly unchanged from the first quarter of the year, while Rhode Island’s medical cannabis program continued to provide access for 6,737 registered patients statewide.
Pre-packaged flower continued to lead retail sales during the quarter, followed by raw pre-rolls, vape cartridges, edibles, and concentrates and infused products, reflecting continued consumer demand across a broad range of regulated cannabis products.
Total Sales by Product Category (Retail)
- Pre-Packaged Bud: $11,981,150
- Raw Pre-Rolls: $6,615,130
- Vape Cartridges: $5,170,787
- Edibles: $3,536,772
- Concentrates & Infused Products: $3,272,051
“The second quarter reflects a regulated cannabis market that continues to mature while maintaining consistent consumer demand,” said Michelle Reddish, Chair of the Cannabis Control Commission. “As regulators, these data help us monitor market performance, identify trends, and provide transparency for licensees, policymakers, and the public.”
The Commission continually monitors retail and wholesale market activity as part of its regulatory oversight responsibilities. While this quarterly announcement highlights second quarter performance, the Commission publishes updated market data on its website each month to ensure the public has timely access to information about Rhode Island’s regulated cannabis industry.
“Consistent financial reporting allows us to monitor trends over time and better understand how the regulated market continues to evolve,” said Kelly Verte, Chief Financial Officer for the Cannabis Control Commission. “These data support the Commission’s financial oversight responsibilities while promoting transparency and accountability.”
The Commission’s website is updated monthly with current market data, including retail sales, wholesale activity, product category sales, and other key market indicators. These figures reflect calendar year 2026 activity and are reported separately from the State’s fiscal year accounting period. For more information on the Cannabis Control Commission, visit www.ccc.ri.gov.
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