Michelle Reddish, who has been the chief operating officer of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority for the past year, has been selected to lead Rhode Island’s new cannabis agency.
Michelle Reddish.
The Senate Committee on Judiciary is set to review Reddish’s nomination to head the state’s Cannabis Office, as reported by the Rhode Island Current. Governor Dan McKee, a Democrat, has put forth Reddish for the position, which comes with an annual salary of $162,270, according to the Current.
If confirmed, Reddish will be responsible for managing marijuana use and the commercial market in Rhode Island. She would report directly to the state’s Cannabis Control Commission, a three-member body that oversees and issues marijuana business licenses.
Rhode Island legalized recreational marijuana in May 2022, allowing those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to 12 marijuana plants. Adult-use sales started that December, giving an early market advantage to existing medical marijuana dispensaries. The commission was established about a year ago.
In the first full year of combined adult-use and medical marijuana retail, Rhode Island marijuana stores sold $107 million worth of product, resulting in $15 million in tax revenue for the state.
Marijuana receives a 10% excise tax which is in addition to the 7% statewide sales tax and a local tax of up to 3%. Medical marijuana patients are required to pay the 7% sales tax, but not the 10% excise tax.
