2025 -- S 0984 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

REQUESTING THAT THE CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION PROVIDE THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON LEGISLATION TO REGULATE

AND LICENSE CANNABINOIDS AND HEMP-DERIVED BEVERAGES

     Introduced By: Senators Britto, McKenney, Dimitri, Ciccone, Felag, Murray, Patalano,
and Thompson

     Date Introduced: April 16, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     WHEREAS, The legalization of adult-use cannabis in the State of Rhode Island has

created a regulated framework for the cultivation, processing, sale, and consumption of cannabis

products; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Cannabis Act established the Rhode Island Cannabis

Control Commission to oversee and implement rules and regulations for the safe and responsible

use of cannabis and cannabis-derived products; and

     WHEREAS, Hemp THC-infused beverages are a new emerging category of cannabis

products in many legal jurisdictions, offering consumers a smokeless alternative to traditional

cannabis consumption; and

     WHEREAS, As intoxicating products, hemp THC-infused beverages warrant careful

study and monitoring to better understand their short- and long-term effects on individual health

and behavior, particularly with respect to public health outcomes and the potential risks they pose

to juveniles if not properly regulated and restricted; and

     WHEREAS, Hemp THC-infused beverages can impair judgment, coordination, and

perception, and as such, strict rules and regulations governing their age-appropriate use are

essential to prevent underage consumption and protect public health and safety; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's cannabis and hemp entrepreneurs require clear, consistent

guidance to participate in the emerging hemp THC-infused beverage market to ensure compliance

with regulations designed to enable sales of hemp THC-infused beverages while protecting public

health and safety; and

     WHEREAS, Hemp THC-infused beverages should only be sold by properly regulated

venues equipped to verify age and ensure responsible dispensing, in order to prevent misuse,

diversion, and access by underage individuals; and

     WHEREAS, Establishing equitable and transparent rules around production, potency,

distribution, and wholesale and retail sales will empower local small businesses, foster

innovation, and ensure broad participation in the regulated cannabis economy; and

     WHEREAS, A unified regulatory framework for both cannabis and hemp products -

including hemp THC-infused beverages - would reduce confusion, promote compliance, and

better protect public health and safety; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the General Assembly hereby requests that prior to March 1, 2026, the

Cannabis Control Commission, pursuant to its authority under section 21-28.11-4, consult with

medical experts and appropriate state agencies and departments including the Department of

Health, the Department of Revenue, and the Department of Business Regulation in devising

recommendations regarding dosage limits, packaging standards, labeling requirements, licensing

conditions, and appropriate age requirements and other safeguards against underage access as

well as study optimal procedures in other states that have undertaken regulation of ingestible

hemp products; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Commissioners Kim Ahern, Layi Oduyingbo,

and Robert Jacquard of the Cannabis Control Commission, Administrator Michelle Reddish of

the Cannabis Control Commission, and the Director of the Department of Business Regulation.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

REQUESTING THAT THE CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION PROVIDE THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON LEGISLATION TO REGULATE

AND LICENSE CANNABINOIDS AND HEMP-DERIVED BEVERAGES

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     This resolution would request that the Cannabis Control Commission conduct a study on

statutory reform and rules and regulations to regulate the sale of hemp THC-infused beverages.

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