Cultivation

Currently, there are over 60 licensed cultivators for the medical cannabis compassion centers with one pending approval. At this time no new cultivation licenses for cannabis are being issued however, with recreational cannabis being approved, that could be changing soon.

Cultivation Licenses are divided into 5 categories:

• Micro-license 0 – 2,500 sq. ft.
• Class A 0 – 5000 sq. ft.
• Class B 5,001 – 10,000 sq. ft.
• Class C 10,001 – 15,000 sq. ft.
• Class D 15,001 – 20,000 sq. ft.

All categories of cultivator applications shall be accompanied by a non-
refundable application fee of $5,000.

License Class Size of Facility* Annual License Fee

• Micro-license 0 – 2,500 sq. ft. $5,000
• Class A 0 – 5000 sq. ft. $20,000
• Class B 5,001 – 10,000 sq. ft. $35,000
• Class C 10,001 – 15,000 sq. ft. $50,000
• Class D 15,001 – 20,000 sq. ft. $80,000

Compassion Centers

Four compassion centers currently hold licenses in Rhode Island to sell medical marijuana to those that qualify for the program.  At this time registration for new compassion centers is closed.  

Once registration opens again for a compassion center license it will cost a non-refundable  $10,000 fee just to apply.  

A registration fee of $500,000 is due annually.

Cannabis Laboratory Testing Centers

Registration for lab testing is currently open in Rhode Island.  The preliminary application fee is $5,000 and an additional fee is not required with the final application. 

If you are interested in applying it is via mail only.  There are several steps involved in the application process. Download the preliminary license application and follow the instructions on Page 2: https://health.ri.gov/applications/MMTestingLabPreliminary.pdf

Recreational Cannabis Dispensary

At this time the laws are still being finalized so the requirements and rules surrounding dispensaries are unknown.