Rhode Island mulls home cannabis delivery to rival Massachusetts

With the legalization of recreational cannabis on the horizon, July in Massachusetts, Rhode Island's medical cannabis industry is exploring new ways to remain competitive.

Currently, there are only three dispensaries in Rhode Island, a small state nestled between Massachusetts and Connecticut. Medical marijuana has been legal there since 2006, but some patients may be tempted to cross the border into Massachusetts to purchase their prescriptions, as Massachusetts is expected to offer a wider selection of products.

«When this program was launched, we weren't thinking about competition with neighboring states.» explains Seth Bock, CEO of one of the dispensaries located in Portsmouth. «We can no longer avoid this discussion. If the state doesn’t take appropriate measures, there’s a serious risk that we’ll lose our business.»

Retail pharmacies are now working to offer solutions, including home delivery, which would help keep sales within the state. Lawmakers appear to be open to this possibility and are currently reviewing the proposal.

Government Inspection and Delivery Enforcement

As a central component of the delivery system, the State of Rhode Island could develop a smartphone app, which it would integrate with the seed-to-sale tracking system Already in place is software that tracks a cannabis plant from seed to sale. This would allow dispensaries to provide real-time updates to the government and the customer on the status of the delivery until it is handed over to the customer in person.

Rhode Island’s deliberations on changing its laws are just one example among many. U.S. states are gradually legalizing cannabis, which is also pushing those who are hesitant to take the plunge on their own to do so under pressure from others. The situation also varies depending on elections and the governors elected.

For example, in November 2017, New Jersey elected a pro-cannabis governor, Phil Murphy, which increases the likelihood that the state will legalize cannabis in 2018. Pennsylvania and New York, which have more restrictive laws allowing access to cannabis solely for medical purposes, are already concerned that legalization in New Jersey could deprive them of some of their revenue.

As for Rhode Island, the question will be what impact the legalization of cannabis in Massachusetts will actually have on its patients.