Cannabis in Rhode Island local government
What Rhode Island city councils, county boards and school districts are deciding about cannabis — plain-English summaries written from official agendas and minutes, updated as meetings happen.
30 Rhode Island meetings since 2024 covered cannabis. Counts are directional — coverage varies by place and platform.
Places in Rhode Island with the most cannabis activity
- Westerly, RI (8)
- New Shoreham, RI (6)
- South Kingstown, RI (5)
- Central Falls, RI (2)
- Coventry, RI (2)
- Warren, RI (2)
- Pawtucket, RI (1)
- North Kingstown, RI (1)
- Foster, RI (1)
- West Warwick, RI (1)
- City of Newport, RI (1)
Latest matching meetings
Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance for a Cannabis Establishment
The New Shoreham Planning Board will review and act on several amendments to the town’s Zoning Ordinance, each with a recommendation to the Town Council for consistency with the Comprehensive Plan. Items include a cannabis establishment proposal, provisions for manufactured homes, adaptive reuse uses, and an outdoor…
Planning Board to consider disc‑golf zoning amendment for Block Island Land Trust
The New Shoreham Planning Board will discuss and act on several zoning amendment applications, including a proposal for disc‑golf facilities and a mobile veterinary unit. It will also review amendments related to a cannabis establishment, outdoor lighting standards, and definitions for manufactured homes. The board…
City Council to consider zoning changes and new business licenses
The City Council will review proposals for zoning map changes and various business license applications. The body will also consider several new ordinances and a series of damage claims related to city vehicles and potholes.
Planning Board to review zoning amendments for disc golf, cannabis, and housing
The New Shoreham Planning Board will discuss and act on multiple proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, including changes regarding disc golf, cannabis use, accessory dwelling units, and outdoor lighting. The board will also review a special use permit application and approve meeting minutes.
Planning Board to review zoning ordinance amendments for game rooms, disc golf, and cannabis.
The New Shoreham Planning Board will discuss and act on multiple requests to amend the Zoning Ordinance, including recommendations for game rooms, disc golf, cannabis, and general zoning modifications. The board must provide findings and recommendations to the Town Council by specific dates in March and April.
Board approved advisory to allow stand‑alone arcade game rooms in Old Harbor district
The Planning Board voted 4‑0 to recommend that the Town Council amend the zoning ordinance to permit stand‑alone arcade game rooms in the Old Harbor Commercial/Historic District. The board discussed a Block Island Land Trust proposal to add disc golf to the zoning code, extending the response deadline to May 15. A…
Board approved a retail cannabis dispensary permit at 105 Franklin St.
The Westerly Zoning Board granted a Special Use Permit for a retail cannabis dispensary at 105 Franklin Street, Units 32 & 33. It also approved dimensional variances for deck extensions at 9 Crandall Avenue. The amendment request for Two Gray Cats Properties LLC at 18 Franklin Street was postponed to the next meeting…
Council to consider first reading of cannabis retail business hours ordinance
The Central Falls City Council will vote on approving the minutes from the January 12, 2026 special meeting and the January 12, 2025 regular meeting. Council members will also vote on the mayor’s appointment of Richard Taylor as Tree Warden, with a term ending January 26, 2027. In addition, the council will hold a…
Planning Board adopts land development regulation updates
The Planning Board approved amendments to land development and subdivision regulations to comply with state law. The board also sent favorable recommendations to the Town Council regarding zoning definitions and development plan reviews.
Board grants front-yard and rear-yard variance for 21R Nichols Lane home
The Zoning Board approved a 10.3‑foot front‑yard and 8.9‑foot rear‑yard setback variance for a new single‑family dwelling at 21R Nichols Lane. The board gave the Zoning Official authority to approve non‑material plan modifications. Three additional applications were noted—deck extensions at 9 Crandall Ave, a…
Council will hold a public hearing on a cannabis zoning amendment.
The Town Council will hear a public hearing on Ordinance No. 2025-23 to amend zoning for cannabis retail in the General Business district. It will vote on resolutions to inspect and repair fire sprinkler systems at 50/60 Wood St., the Police Department and Human Services buildings, and to grant an emergency access and…
Ordinance Committee to discuss retail cannabis zoning rules
The Pawtucket Ordinance Committee will meet to discuss an ordinance amending zoning regulations for retail cannabis establishments. The meeting will be held at the Pawtucket Municipal Annex on Freight Street.
Planning Commission to review cannabis retail and mini-storage applications
The Planning Commission will consider a waiver request for a mini-storage project and a decision on a hybrid cannabis retail store. These items involve development plan reviews and special use permits for specific properties.
Planning Commission will consider ordinance to allow cannabis retail in GB zone
The Coventry Planning Commission will review a bond reduction for the 32‑lot "The Oaks at Hope Furnace" subdivision. Several public hearings will be held for projects including Siena Condominiums, Gormley Garage ADU, and Moo Cow Solar. The commission will also recommend Ordinance No. 2025‑23 to amend the zoning…
Planning Board to discuss cannabis dispensary and zoning map amendment
The South Kingstown Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a preliminary plan for a cannabis dispensary and discuss a withdrawn zoning map amendment for the Peace Dale Preserve. The meeting will also include work sessions on Form Based Code and municipal infrastructure capacity.
Council will hear license applications for a private detective and cannabis retailer.
The Foster Town Council will approve FY26 warrant expenditures of $76,323.65 (GW#8) and $316,665.25 (GW#9). It will renew dozens of existing business, victualing, gun shop, and other licenses for entities on Danielson Pike, Anthony Road, and other locations. The council will hold public hearings on a private detective…
Public hearing on 311-unit Lofts on Fairgrounds development
The Planning Board will hold public hearings on four development projects: a 36-unit reconfiguration at 571 Main Street (continuance requested), a 311-unit multi-family development at 132 Fairgrounds Road, a cannabis dispensary at 711 Kingstown Road, and a two-unit mixed-use building at 82 Main Street. The board will…
Town Council to consider cannabis retail zoning and liquor license renewals
The Warren Town Council will consider amending zoning ordinances to allow cannabis retail sales and review applications for dog kennel operations and alcoholic beverage licenses. The meeting also includes interviews for town commissions and the acceptance of prior meeting minutes.
Committee discusses draft Form-Based Code for Old Tower Hill Road, reviews video PSA
The Economic Development Commission will discuss a draft Form-Based Code ordinance for the Old Tower Hill Road neighborhood and review a draft video PSA, with possible action on public education and outreach. Commissioners will also hear status reports on surveys for the Innovation Center and Workforce, and discuss…
TRC to review cannabis dispensary, mixed-use building, and coastal cottage addition
The Technical Review Committee will approve minutes from three prior meetings and conduct preliminary plan reviews for three development proposals. These include a retail cannabis dispensary requiring a special use permit at 711 Kingstown Road, a mixed-use structure with two residential units at 82 Main Street, and a…
Town Council to consider cannabis retail sales in business districts
The Town Council will discuss several zoning amendments, including the retail sale of cannabis in Business and Rural Business districts. The meeting also includes a first reading of noise level regulations and a second reading to increase the limit of Class BV liquor licenses to 32.
Greenhouse Dispensary cannabis retail conversion to be reviewed for special use permit
The Technical Review Committee will consider a minor land development application to convert a vacant building at 711 Kingstown Road into a retail cannabis dispensary, requiring a Special Use Permit. The committee will also review a mixed-use development at 82 Main Street (two residential units over commercial space)…
Council adopts zoning amendment allowing cannabis retail sales in West Warwick
The Town Council approved its consent agenda, including cancellation of $7,010.65 in taxes. It adopted three ordinances, notably a zoning code amendment that permits cannabis retail sales. The council also granted several business licenses and provided an update on the school bond referendum materials.
Planning Board approves Royale Dispensary at 140 Franklin Street
The Planning Board approved a Special Use Permit and Minor Land Development application for Royale Dispensary. The board also held a working session on Route One Corridor design standards and approved its FY 2024-25 annual report.
Board approved a Special Use Permit for a cannabis retail dispensary on Post Road
The Zoning Board approved the minutes from the July 9, 2025 meeting. The board granted two dimensional variances—one for a front‑yard setback garage at 2 Egret Lane and another for side‑yard setbacks and a 240 sq ft addition at 106 Atlantic Avenue. The board also approved a Special Use Permit to operate a retail…
Zoning board approves wastewater facility variance
The Westerly Zoning Board approved a 54-foot setback variance for the Wastewater Treatment Facility at 87 Margin Street to install aeration tanks. The board also approved the minutes from the June 11th meeting and declared three variance applications complete.
Public hearing on FY2026-2027 biennial budget and budget ordinances
The Council will hold a public hearing on the FY2026-2027 biennial budget, including Budget Change Sheets for the General Fund, Enterprise Funds, and Bond, as well as first readings of the appropriating and personnel ordinances. A separate public hearing will consider the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)…
Town Council to consider multiple cannabis-related ordinance amendments
The council will hold public hearings on three proposed ordinances to amend the town code concerning cannabis retail sales, the inclusion of cannabis under alcoholic beverages, and addressing alcohol and drug use in parks. They will also discuss a resolution authorizing a new lease agreement with Westerly Senior…
Town Council to discuss ordinances regarding cannabis retail sales
The Westerly Town Council will consider several proposed ordinances related to cannabis retail sales and drug use in parks. The body will also receive a final report from the Westerly Marina Study Committee and discuss the creation of a housing committee.
Council continues public hearing on building construction fee ordinance amendment
The Westerly Town Council will hold a continued public hearing on a proposed amendment to Article I, State Building Code, Chapter 90 (Fees) of the Code of Ordinances, with discussion and possible action. The council will also discuss an amendment to Section 145-25 on Residential Zone Short-Term Rental Registration…