Rhode Island Industrial Hemp Program


560-RICR-10-20-1 ACTIVE RULE EMERGENCY RULE

There are proposed changes for this rule. View Details
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1.1Authority

1.2Purpose

1.3Scope

1.4Incorporated Materials

1.5Definitions

1.6Application Process – Grower and Handler

1.7Application Process – Distributor and Retailer

1.8Issuance of Licensing Agreement and License

1.9Inspection, Sampling and Testing

1.10Program Registry Identification Cards

1.11Operational Requirements

1.12Methods of Extraction

1.13Reporting Requirements

1.14Institutions of Higher Education

1.15Violations and Enforcement; Penalties

1.16Severability


Title 560 Cannabis Control Commission
Chapter 10 Cannabis
Subchapter 20 Industrial Hemp
Part 1 Rhode Island Industrial Hemp Program
Type of Filing Adoption
Regulation Status Active
Effective 07/21/2025 to 11/18/2025

Regulation Authority:

R.I. Gen. Laws § 2-26

Purpose and Reason:

The Hemp Growth Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 2-26, was amended by H5076, effective July 1, 2025, thereby transitioning full regulatory authority over the state’s hemp program from the Department of Business Regulation (“DBR”) to the Commission.  As a result of this enactment, which did not contain any transitionary period, the DBR regulations governing the Industrial Hemp Program, 230-RICR-80-10-1, are rendered unenforceable by DBR and the Commission must immediately promulgate its own regulations to ensure a regulatory framework for existing licensees and the safety of the public.

In accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.10, entitled “Emergency rule”, the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission (“Commission”) hereby finds that imminent peril to public health and safety requires the immediate promulgation of an emergency rule governing the Rhode Island Industrial Hemp Program. 

The Commission thereby proposes to promulgate the existing DBR regulations under the Commission’s regulatory title, with only minimal changes to effectuate this transition of authority.  This emergency rule will allow the Commission to transition the existing hemp program—which, among other things, oversees the sale of intoxicating hemp products—to the Commission’s jurisdiction, maintain continuity for existing licensees and consumers, ensure there exists no lapse in enforcement, mitigate public safety concerns and ensure the maintenance of public health. 


Brief statement of Reason for Finding Imminent Peril:

In accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.10, entitled “Emergency rule”, the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission (“Commission”) hereby finds that imminent peril to public health and safety requires the immediate promulgation of an emergency rule governing the Rhode Island Industrial Hemp Program.  In support thereof, the Commission states that the Hemp Growth Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 2-26, was recently amended by H5076, effective July 1, 2025, thereby transitioning full regulatory authority over the state’s hemp program from the Department of Business Regulation (“DBR”) to the Commission.  As a result of this enactment, which did not contain any transitionary period, the DBR regulations governing the Industrial Hemp Program, 230-RICR-80-10-1, were rendered unenforceable by DBR and the Commission must immediately promulgate its own regulations to ensure a regulatory framework for existing licensees and the safety of the public.

The Commission thereby proposes to promulgate the existing DBR regulations under the Commission’s regulatory title, with only minimal changes to effectuate this transition of authority.  This emergency rule will allow the Commission to transition the existing hemp program—which, among other things, oversees the sale of intoxicating hemp products—to the Commission’s jurisdiction, maintain continuity for existing licensees and consumers, ensure there exists no lapse in enforcement, mitigate public safety concerns and ensure the maintenance of public health. 

Rulemaking Documents are organized by document type and are part of this rule’s rulemaking record (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-2.3). If multiple documents of the same type are listed below, each is a unique document. If there are multiple Public Notice of Proposed Rulemaking documents, view each document to identify the most recently amended version, as it may be amended at any point during the Public Comment Period.