The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission voted to lengthen the hours during which licensed dispensaries may deliver cannabis products, a move that would allow delivery drivers to be on the road for as many as 15 hours a day. The change expands service from the previous schedule and affects retailers, drivers and customers across the state.
What changed and why it matters
Under the newly approved schedule, dispensaries that provide delivery services can now operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. — one hour earlier and three hours later than the prior delivery window. Regulators said the adjustment follows review of how other states manage delivery and is intended in part to give the emerging cannabis market more flexibility.
| Previous delivery window | New delivery window |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
Reaction from shoppers and commission members
Reaction among customers outside Solar Cannabis Co. in Warwick was mixed. Some worried the later hours could create safety risks, while others viewed the change as a reasonable parity with alcohol delivery services and other on-demand commerce.
“I think it’s got to stay in the store, you don’t know who’s going to get it. It’s like delivering liquor to a house,”
Other customers took a different view. One shopper said extending delivery hours was acceptable, drawing a comparison to existing delivery services for alcohol and restaurant food.
On the commission, several members supported the expansion as a measured way to grow the industry. Commissioner Layi Oduyingbo noted commissioners had examined approaches used by other states and concluded additional hours present limited downside for regulated delivery operations. By contrast, Commissioner Robert Jacquard voiced unease not only about the later hours but about the delivery model itself, arguing late-night deliveries might invite potential violence.
What this means locally
For dispensary owners and drivers, the change could translate to increased business hours and potentially higher revenue opportunities, as deliveries can now be arranged earlier in the morning and later into the evening. For regulators and law enforcement, it means overseeing a longer delivery period and monitoring compliance with state rules governing sales, age verification and product transport.
- Delivery hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. under the new rule.
- Potential driver hours: As many as 15 hours on the street per day.
- Key concerns: Public safety, verification of customers, and enforcement during extended hours.
The commission’s vote is part of a broader effort to refine Rhode Island’s cannabis regulatory framework as the market matures. Expanding delivery hours is a practical adjustment that aligns the state with delivery practices in other jurisdictions while prompting debate about safety and oversight at later hours.
As delivery firms and dispensaries adapt to the new schedule, residents can expect to see more delivery vehicles on local streets during the extended window. The commission and local authorities will likely monitor outcomes and consider further changes based on observed results and public feedback.
Reporting from the ground in Warwick and state regulatory meetings continues as the industry adjusts to the new timeline.
