Rhode Island legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Rhode Island H8265: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT (Makes several amendments to the cannabis act relating to app
Status: Failed, May 16, 2026
AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT (Makes several amendments to the cannabis act relating to applications for licensure, the social equity assistance program and the application of cannabis tax revenue.)
What the bill says
From the introduced text, March 11, 2026:
2026 -- H 8265 ======== LC005995 ======== STATEOFRHODEISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ ANACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT Introduced By: Representatives Felix, Potter, Morales, Alzate, Batista, Sanchez, Kislak, Stewart, Cruz, and Kazarian Date Introduced: March 11, 2026 Referred To: House Corporations It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: SECTION 1. Sections 21-28.11-3, 21-28.11-12.1 and 21-28.11-31 of the General Laws in Chapter 21-28.11 entitled "The Rhode Island Cannabis Act" are hereby amended to read as follows: 21-28.11-3. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter, the following words, terms and phrases shall have the following meanings: (1) "Administrator" means the administrator of the cannabis office appointed by the governor pursuant to the provisions of § 21-28.11-18.1. (2) "Adult use cannabis" or "recreational cannabis" means cannabis which may be legally possessed and consumed for non-medical purposes by a person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age. (3) "Applicant" means a Rhode Island resident or a business entity with a principal place of business located in Rhode Island to include, but not limited to, a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership or partnership, and in which fifty-one percent (51%) of the equity in the business entity is owned by residents of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island resident or business …
Sponsors
- Leonela Felix (D, HD-061) · primary sponsor
- Brandon Potter (D, HD-016)
- David Morales (D, HD-007)
- Karen Alzate (D, HD-060)
- Jose Batista (D, HD-012)
- Enrique Sanchez (D, HD-009)
- Rebecca Kislak (D, HD-004)
- Jennifer Stewart (D, HD-059)
- Cherie Cruz (D, HD-058)
- Katherine Kazarian (D, HD-063)
Latest actions
- : Withdrawn at sponsor's request
- : Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
- : Introduced, referred to House Corporations
Subjects: Food And Drugs, FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT
Common questions
- What is H8265?
- H8265 is a bill in the Rhode Island Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT (Makes several amendments to the cannabis act relating to app.
- What does H8265 do?
- AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT (Makes several amendments to the cannabis act relating to applications for licensure, the social equity assistance program and the application of cannabis tax revenue.)
- What is the status of H8265?
- Failed as of May 16, 2026. Latest action: Withdrawn at sponsor's request (May 16, 2026).
- Who sponsored H8265?
- Leonela Felix (D, HD-061), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H8265?
- On the Rhode Island Legislature website: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText26/HouseText26/H8265.pdf
Source: official Rhode Island record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.