The new ordinance changes municipal zoning codes to ensure safety while supporting the cannabis industry.
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On Thursday, the Providence City Council approved a new cannabis zoning ordinance, passing it by a 12-2 vote. The ordinance aims to promote equity in the cannabis industry while implementing public safety measures. It builds on the 2022 Rhode Island Act on Cannabis, which legalized recreational marijuana in the state, by offering additional zoning and licensing guidance for cannabis retailers.
The ordinance establishes six cannabis retail zones in Providence, with a maximum of four licensed retailers per zone. Notably, one retailer in each zone must be a business owned by someone disproportionately affected by past marijuana law enforcement, and another must be a worker-owned enterprise.
Retailers are now required to operate only in designated areas and maintain a clear separation between retail spaces and other parts of the facility, such as areas for cannabis cultivation. Storefronts cannot be located within 500 feet of any schools. Applicants must also provide proof of state licensure, security plans, noise and odor control measures, and details about staffing.
Councilman Oscar Vargas highlighted the numerous public hearings held to shape this ordinance, emphasizing its role in the responsible development of Providence's cannabis industry and its potential benefits for the city's future.
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