A potential restart is on the horizon for Rhode Island’s cannabis license lottery, following a federal judge’s decision that changes made by the state’s General Assembly have resolved the issues with the state law.
In her July 22 ruling, Judge Melissa DuBose indicated that if the First Circuit Court of Appeals allows it, she would lift the preliminary injunction she had imposed, which had halted the licensing process for new retail cannabis dispensaries in the state.
The state had initially appealed the judge’s April 8 preliminary injunction to the First Circuit Court of Appeals and then requested a pause in the appeal after the General Assembly revised the cannabis licensing rules.
The changes made by the General Assembly aimed to address concerns about the state’s residency requirements, which have been deemed unconstitutional by other courts. Additionally, the state removed language from the social equity applicant section of the law, which had inadvertently created residency requirements.
The developments suggest that the cannabis license lottery in Rhode Island may soon be back on track.
