Rhode Island’s high hashish regulator is stepping down a day after indicating when the state would lastly award 24 new hashish retail licenses.
Kimberly Ahern, who chaired three-member Hashish Management Fee since its inception in 2023, resigned on Oct. 21 forward of a rumored run for state legal professional basic subsequent yr.
Ahern was appointed to the $204,069-per-year submit in June 2023 by Gov. Dan McKee, whom she served as chief of employees.
In her resignation letter, Ahern highlighted the current creation of a social-equity program in addition to the long-awaited launch of a brand new licensing window.
“These milestones have laid a robust basis for the cautious growth of adult-use hashish retail licensing statewide,” she wrote.
Rhode Island hashish gross sales flat, however new retail alternatives await
Gross sales within the Ocean State started in Dec. 2022, when the seven dispensaries licensed to promote medical marijuana have been allowed to open gross sales to adults 21 and over.
Hashish gross sales have been flat in 2025, a development some observers say is attributable to the dearth of latest stores.
Rhode Island is accepting functions for twenty-four new hashish storefronts by Dec. 29.
Permits may very well be awarded through lottery in Might 2026, Ahern mentioned throughout her ultimate fee assembly on Monday.
Six licenses are reserved for social fairness candidates, and 6 can be found to worker-owned cooperatives.
It’s the primary time the state’s $124 million authorized hashish market is open to new retailers since legalization.
The state started accepting functions for social fairness retail licenses in August.
In Ahern’s absence, day-to-day operations will fall to Hashish Officer Administrator Michelle Reddish, Ahern advised The Windfall Journal.
“Administrator Michelle Reddish has led with integrity, compassion and an unwavering dedication to success,” Ahern wrote in her letter to the governor.
