House passes Rep. Slater’s bill allowing cannabis advertisements

            STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today passed legislation (2023-H 5829) sponsored by Rep. Scott A. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence) which would allow the state’s cannabis dispensaries to advertise their products.

            Currently, the state’s cannabis businesses are unable to use advertising according to the law that legalized recreational cannabis in Rhode Island.

            “Now that Rhode Island’s recreational cannabis industry is up and running, our dispensaries are facing a significant obstacle when competing with our neighbors in Massachusetts and Connecticut.  In particular, without being able to advertise their products due to current law, Rhode Island’s dispensaries are facing a serious disadvantage because Massachusetts and Connecticut cannabis businesses are allowed to, and do, advertise within Rhode Island’s borders.  This bill will correct this inequity while also supporting these new local businesses in Rhode Island by hopefully keeping Rhode Islanders from crossing the border to shop for their cannabis in neighboring states,” said Representative Slater.

            The bill would permit the Office of Cannabis Regulation to provide forms, procedures and requirements with respect to the advertising of cannabis products in Rhode Island.

            The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.