Rhode Island Marijuana Sets Record For Fourth Consecutive month

In August, marijuana sales in Rhode Island reached a new record high with total retail receipts of $9.67 Million. According to the Department of Business Regulation, it’s the fourth consecutive record-breaking month.

Since the opening of the legal market, sales of adult-use cannabis, which will launch in the state in 2022, has consistently increased. In August, non-medical purchases totaled over $7 million. Medical cannabis sales have declined, though, from $2.64m last month to a total of fewer than 2,000 patients in the state.

Rhode Island, unlike some states, breaks down sales data by type of product. In August, the state-licensed retail outlets sold $181.043 of flower, $168.287 of raw non-edible prerolls ($168.287 worth), $66,193 edibles ($66.193), $52,903 vape carts ($52.903), $12.553 concentrates ($12,553), and $11,197 infused prerolls ($11,197 worth).

data shows that the amount of the average purchase in the state has decreased during the first month of legalization. This could be due to falling prices or smaller orders. In December 2022, the average revenue was $32.19; this has now dropped to $25.39.

In July, Rhode Island retailers shifted $6.75 millions in recreational cannabis and $2.71millions worth of medical marijuana . This totaled $9.47millions for the month.

The state had just under 15,000 active medical marijuana patients when adult-use sales began in late 2022. Since then, the number of active medical marijuana patients has steadily decreased and is now 11,195. It could be because patients aren’t re-certifying their prescriptions and instead are buying adult-use products.

Rhode Island has joined a number other states who have set monthly sales records, including Montana (28.7 millions), New Mexico (48 million), Connecticut(25 million), Maine(22 million), Massachusetts(139.3million), and Maryland ($92million).

Rhode Island’s Governor and Leaders of the House and Senate announced last month their appointment to the state’s Cannabis Advisory Board. The 19-member panel issues recommendations in conjunction with the Cannabis Control Commission

Regulators who were on a tour of the state last week heard advocates call for equity, and other adjustments to industry rules.

Some workers in the marijuana sector have been trying to unionize.