WARWICK – The Cannabis Control Commission on Wednesday released their much-anticipated draft regulations for expanding the retail market, but not first without renewed debate among the three commissioners over the process of selecting qualified applicants for 24 planned future stores.

Long-awaited rules that will govern Rhode Island’s budding recreational cannabis market are finally coming, putting the state one step closer to issuing licenses for two dozen retail pot shops. Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission on Wednesday released 200 pages of draft regulations for public comment.

The commission, which was first appointed in 2023, says the proposed regulations "cover both adult use and medical cannabis" in four areas.