Rhode Island Medical Marijuana

Updated on January 30, 2019.  Medical content reviewed by Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer

Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program: Contact Details

Rhode Island Department of Health
Licensing Unit – Medical Marijuana Licensing
3 Capitol Hill Room 105A
Providence, RI 02908-5097
Phone: (401) 222-2828
Email: doh.mmp@health.ri.gov
Website: Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program (MMP)

Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program: Information

1. Patients must be over the age of eighteen (18). If a patient is under eighteen (18) years of age, the patient must designate a custodial parent or legal guardian as the primary caregiver and also sign and complete the Minor Form along with the Patient Form during the application.
2. Patients must be a Rhode Island resident and provide proof of residency. Acceptable Documents are: Valid Driver’s License or Identification Cards issued by the State of Rhode Island, Vehicle Registration, Voters Registration, Correspondence From Another State Agency with Current Date or Current Car Insurance Bill.
3. Patients must obtain a Written Certification Form after an evaluation. Find A Certified Practitioner In Rhode Island.
4. The Written Certification Form must show a diagnosis of a Qualifying Medical Condition.
5. Patients must then complete and sign a Patient Form and submit their Completed Application.
   • Patients must submit a Non-Refundable Application Fee of $50.00. If you are a recipient of Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, Federal Railroad Disability Benefit or Veteran’s Disability Photocopy of Medicaid Card, “ANCHOR” Card, the fee may be reduced to $25.00. Application Fee must be a Check or Money Order payable to RI General Treasurer.
6. All applications must be mailed to Rhode Island Center For Professional Licensing Room 105A – 3 Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908-5097. Please keep a copy of the completed Application.
7. Once the application is submitted, the process will take two to four (2-4) weeks. Once approved, Medical Marijuana Identification Cards will be mailed to the address listed on the application.

Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program: Possession and Cultivation Regulations

The Rhode Island, “Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act”, legally allows qualified and registered patients, and primary caregiver, to cultivate and possess, up to a maximum of twelve plants, and five ounces of usable medical marijuana.

Recent Legislation Changes

State regulators have announced that medical marijuana patients in Rhode Island can expect an app to be released sometime this year that will make medical marijuana deliveries a wide-spread reality. Regulators are hoping that a delivery service will help offset the $50 fee to renew medical marijuana cards.

Note from State, on sources for medical marijuana

“Compassion centers are places for patients who have qualifying conditions to obtain medical marijuana as allowed by Rhode Island law. Three compassion centers are licensed in Rhode Island: the Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center in Providence; Summit Medical Compassion Center in Warwick; and Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center in Portsmouth,” Medical Marijuana Compassion Centers [Accessed Mar. 1, 2016]

While Senate Bill 0710 was approved by the Rhode Island House 52-10, on June 24, 2005, and the Senate 33-1, on June 28, 2005, it was vetoed by the Governor on June 29, 2005. However, the veto was ultimately overridden by the House and Senate 28-6, on June 30, 2005.

On January 03, 2006, the House ultimately overrode the veto 59-13, passing the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, effectively removing all state-level criminal penalties on the use and possession of marijuana by patients in possession of a written letter from a physician stating that he or she may benefit from the medical use of marijuana for alleviating symptoms caused by debilitating medical conditions and their medical treatments.

On June 21, 2007, Senate Bill 791, amended the law such that the repeal date for the medical marijuana act would be removed, and would expand the definition of primary caregiver.

On April 19, 2013, the first state-licensed medical marijuana dispensary, “The Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center”, opened to registered patients, in Rhode Island.

February 10, 2009, H5359, made various changes to the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, including the creation and regulation of compassion centers, to aid qualifying patients and their registered primary caregivers, with respect to this act.

Effective June 16, 2009, the amendment allows for the creation of compassion centers, which may acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense marijuana, or related supplies and educational materials, to registered qualifying patients and their registered primary caregivers, as per the Rules and Regulations (last updated in December 2012).