Rhode Island is rapidly reshaping its regulatory landscape for hemp-derived delta-9 THC beverages. With Bill H 6270 at the forefront in 2025, all intoxicating hemp drinks—previously sold in convenience stores, liquor shops, and specialty retailers—are poised to become the province of licensed cannabis businesses only.
Let’s break down what Rhode Island H6270, the latest rules from the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), and impending deadlines really mean for retailers, distributors, and brands stepping into this new era of compliance.
H 6270: Pushing Hemp THC Beverages Into the Cannabis System
What Does the Bill Say?
Rhode Island H6270 aims to prohibit the ". . .sale, distribution, possession, and consumption of beverages and drink mix powders containing hemp-derived delta-9 THC" unless these products are sold by businesses licensed under the Rhode Island Cannabis Act. This pushes all intoxicating drinks, including popular delta-9 drinks and drink mixes, into the same regulatory system as adult-use cannabis products.
Source: Legiscan H6270 summary | Full Bill Text PDF
Why the Shift?
State lawmakers are motivated by:
- The need for regulatory consistency in intoxicating products
- Concerns over youth access and public safety
- Gaps in age-gating, potency labeling, and track-and-trace
Hemp beverage sales outside the licensed cannabis channel have alarmed regulators due to unclear potency caps and reports of underage access, triggering a push to centralize oversight under the CCC.
The New Rules: Cannabis Control Commission Powers & Regulations (Effective May 1, 2025)
With the CCC’s final regulations effective May 1, 2025, the agency is poised to immediately regulate newly reclassified hemp-derived beverages, applying the same standards as cannabis drinkables.
Key CCC Regulatory Areas as of May 2025:
- Licensing: Only CCC-licensed dispensaries, retailers, processors, and distributors can handle intoxicating beverages.
- Potency Limits: Maximum allowed THC content per serving (expected to be 5–10mg for beverages, per preliminary regulatory guidance).
- Packaging & Labeling: Rigorous requirements for serving information, child-resistant packaging, ingredient disclosure, and THC warnings.
- Age Verification: Mandatory age-21 sales for all intoxicating products, including delta-9 drinks.
- Track-and-Trace: Full integration into the state seed-to-sale tracking system. Dispensaries and distributors must account for inventory movement and sales.
- Testing: State-certified laboratory testing required for potency, purity, and contamination.
- Serving Size: Clear dosing, no mixing with alcohol, and defined total package limits (usually 100mg per package).
Official rules: CCC Regulations Portal
Licensing Impacts: What Hemp Beverage Sellers Need to Know
Who Loses and Who Gains?
- Existing hemp retailers (convenience, liquor, vape, and specialty shops) will lose the ability to sell THC drinks/powder mixes unless they obtain a retail cannabis license or partner with a licensed dispensary.
- Cannabis dispensaries gain access to new product SKUs—but must ensure all new beverage items align with potency, packaging, and CCC track-and-trace rules.
- Hemp brands and manufacturers must shift to dual packaging/compliance systems and ensure every SKU meets CCC requirements for legal sale in Rhode Island.
- Distributors handling intoxicating hemp drinks will need a CCC distributor license, full state track-and-trace onboarding, and robust age-21 delivery protocols.
Timeline: How Fast Is the Transition?
- May 1, 2025: CCC final rules take effect; the Commission prepared for rapid intake of reclassified beverage products.
- H6270 enactment date TBD (bill must pass both chambers and be signed to take legal effect, likely in summer/fall 2025).
- Transition period: (if included in statute) CCC may offer a brief period for existing hemp beverage sellers to clear inventory or apply for licenses.
The Licensing Process: Getting (and Keeping) Approval
Retailers and beverage brands will need to:
- Submit detailed business, safety, and security plans
- Undergo background/financial vetting
- Comply with local zoning and opt-in/opt-out municipal rules
- Pay substantial application fees:
- Compassion center license: $10,000
- Cannabis retailer license: $30,000
- Hybrid cannabis retailer license: $125,000
- Prepare for site inspection and ongoing CCC audits
Resource: How to Open a Dispensary in Rhode Island (2025)
Social Equity Provisions
Rhode Island’s cannabis law includes social equity priorities:
- Applicants from communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition (must prove 5+ years residency in eligible areas)
- Certain licenses reserved for social equity applicants, with restrictions on resale and transfer (source: MCBA)
Compliance Checklist: Beverage Manufacturers and Distributors
For Beverage Brands/Manufacturers:
- Formulations: THC per serving must not exceed CCC caps; no alcohol infusions.
- Packaging: Child-resistant, tamper-evident, fully labeled for THC potency and warnings.
- Testing: Contract with CCC-approved labs for batch testing.
- Distribution: Partner with CCC-licensed distributors for delivery to retail.
- Application: Secure state approvals for every product SKU.
For Retailers/Distributors:
- Onboard to CCC track-and-trace (Metrc or designated system).
- Verify all shipments and sales to customers 21+.
- Remove all non-compliant hemp THC beverages from shelves after H6270 becomes law.
- Prepare for regular CCC inspections and compliance audits.
Failure to comply risks license suspension, product seizure, or civil penalties as outlined in the CCC enforcement code (CCC enforcement policy).
Consumer Rules: How Purchases & Possession Change
- Adults 21+ can legally purchase hemp or cannabis-derived THC beverages only from licensed cannabis retailers.
- Possession limits: in line with adult-use rules—usually one ounce of cannabis/THC product equivalents per transaction.
- No home delivery or online orders unless retailer holds state-approved delivery license.
- No public consumption of intoxicating beverages—penalties apply for violations.
Full details: Rhode Island Cannabis Laws 2025
Clear Takeaways for the RI Cannabis Supply Chain
- Hemp delta-9 drinks are shifting into the regulated cannabis system—immediate compliance is essential.
- Retailers must act quickly to maintain access to these products: seek a cannabis license, partner with dispensaries, or clear inventory.
- Brands must update packaging, labeling, and THC levels for each beverage, following strict CCC rules.
- Distributors need CCC onboarding, track-and-trace readiness, and 21+ delivery protocols.
For detailed licensing help, regulatory updates, or a compliance checklist for your hemp beverage product, visit CannabisRegulations.ai and stay compliant as Rhode Island’s cannabis rules expand.
