Does Rhode Island have a recreational use program?

Yes, recreational use is legal in Rhode Island. Cannabis users who want to use it for recreation must be at least 21 years old to legally buy or possess it.

Does Rhode Island have a medical program?

Yes, medical cannabis is legal in Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Act, also known as the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, was passed into law, making medical marijuana legal in the state.

This Act permits the medical use of marijuana in Rhode Island for patients with severe medical conditions.

What are the rules for medical use?

In Rhode Island, access to medical marijuana is restricted to registered patients and caregivers enrolled in the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program, specifically those suffering from qualifying medical conditions. Patients in the state have the option to designate one authorized purchaser, in addition to a caregiver, to assist them in obtaining medical cannabis.

The application process for medical marijuana cards is now facilitated online through the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Cannabis Licensing Portal. Initial certifications, however, must be obtained in person from a licensed Rhode Island physician, while telemedicine is permissible for renewals. Rhode Island medical marijuana cards are exclusively available to legal state residents, and registered patients are required to present their cards when visiting a compassion center (dispensary). The state also acknowledges medical marijuana reciprocity, allowing registered patients from other states with established programs to purchase medical cannabis in Rhode Island, provided they present their medical marijuana ID cards and state-issued identification at dispensaries.

Individuals under 18 are ineligible to independently apply for a medical marijuana card or access medical cannabis in Rhode Island. Qualifying minor patients must have registered caregivers, often their custodial parents or legal guardians, listed on the patient’s application. The attending practitioner must explain the potential benefits and risks of medical cannabis use to the minor patient and their caregiver. Consent for the patient’s medical cannabis use must be provided by the caregiver (custodial parent or legal guardian) through the completion of the Medical Marijuana Minor Form as part of the card application process.

What are the qualifying medical conditions for eligibility?

• Glaucoma
• Cancer
• Any debilitating medical condition or disease or its treatment that leads to one or more of the following:
  • Severe nausea
  • Chronic pain
  • Excruciating and persistent muscle spasms, including those common with Crohn’s disease or multiple sclerosis
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Seizures, including those characteristics of epilepsy
  • Agitation related to Alzheimer’s disease
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for patients at least 18 years old

What are the medical program limits?

Every 15 days, a patient with a Rhode Island medical marijuana card is permitted to acquire and possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis.

What methods of use are permitted under the medical program?

People who live in Rhode Island and have a Medical Marijuana Card are the only ones who can buy medical marijuana products like smokable joints, oils, topicals, concentrates, tinctures, distillates, and edibles.

Is there home delivery for medical cannabis?

In Rhode Island, it is permitted to deliver cannabis, but only to those who meet the requirements and have registered as Department of Health (DOH) patients. It is against the law for licensed dispensaries to deliver recreational marijuana to state citizens.

Before receiving their supplies of medical marijuana, people who have registered must present their registry IDs. Patients undergoing medicinal marijuana treatments can have marijuana delivered to them at home, in hospitals, or hospices.

Is CBD legal in Rhode Island?

Yes, CBD is legal in Rhode Island. The Industrial Hemp Growth Act in Rhode Island was revised following the 2018 Farm Bill, allowing hemp-based CBD products with a maximum THC content of 0.3% to be legally sold in the state.

For qualified patients enrolled in Rhode Island’s Medical Marijuana Program, CBD products derived from cannabis are also permitted.

Is cannabis decriminalized in Rhode Island?

People in Rhode Island who are at least 21 years old can buy up to 1 ounce of marijuana for personal use.

The Cannabis Act says that anyone from Rhode Island who is caught with more than 2 ounces of marijuana or cannabis concentrate in public will be charged with a misdemeanor. This rule does not apply to people who use medical marijuana. Everyone else who breaks the law could go to jail for up to a year or pay a $5,000 fine.

A Rhode Island adult aged 21 or older who is caught with more than 1 ounce of marijuana or cannabis extract but less than 2 ounces will be fined. They could also get a $150 fine and have the marijuana or cannabis concentrate collected away. A minor charge can be brought against someone who has more than 10 ounces of marijuana or cannabis concentrate in their home. If someone is found guilty, they could go to jail for up to a year or pay a fine of $200 to $500.