The Rhode Island Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing and potential vote tomorrow on legislation that would overhaul and expand the state’s cannabis equity policies.
Rhode Island State House.
Senate Bill 531, sponsored by Senator Jonathon Acosta (D) and co-sponsored by Senators Tiara Mack (D), Robert Britto (D), Victoria Gu (D), Ana Quezada (D) and Samuel Bell (D), was filed in February and referred to the committee.
If passed into law, the measure would establish two new funds: the Social Equity Assistance Fund and the Disproportionately Impacted Areas Investment Fund. These funds would be supported by cannabis licensing revenue and 50% of the state’s excise tax on marijuana sales.
The legislation also broadens eligibility for social equity status, allowing more individuals and communities harmed by marijuana prohibition to qualify for reduced fees, grants and priority licensing. This includes individuals with past cannabis-related convictions, family members of those impacted, and residents of neighborhoods identified as disproportionately targeted by previous enforcement practices.
The bill also includes language barring the state from denying a cannabis license solely due to most prior marijuana convictions, unless the offense involved distribution to a minor or was otherwise directly related to the duties of the job.
The hearing will be held Monday, May 20, at 3:30pm at Room 313 of the State House in Providence. Approval by the committee would send the bill to the full Senate for consideration.
