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HB 6056

AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE RHODE ISLAND HEMP THC-INFUSED BEVERAGES ACT

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jackie Baginski and 2 co-sponsors

The bill creates a regulatory framework to allow hemp-derived THC beverages with a 5 mg per container limit, licensed through a new Rhode Island system.

04/08/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 6056

Summary — HB 6056: The Rhode Island Hemp THC‑Infused Beverage Act

Status: Introduced March 12, 2025 (House Corporations); Committee recommended measure be held for further study (April 8, 2025).
Note: summary based on the House Introduced Bill (LC002242) as provided; some text in the source was truncated.

Purpose

Establish a regulatory framework to permit, license, tax, and control the manufacture, wholesale distribution, retail sale, and on‑premise service of non‑alcoholic beverages infused with hemp‑derived THC. The stated goals include public safety (age verification, limits on intoxication), temperance, a controlled retail channel (using existing liquor and cannabis licensing systems), consumer dosage limits, and a dedicated state revenue stream.

Key definitions

  • Hemp / industrial hemp: Cannabis sativa L. and derivatives with delta‑9 THC ≤ 0.3% (dry weight or per volume).
  • Hemp‑derived THC: THC derived solely from hemp (explicitly excludes THC derived from cannabis).
  • THC‑infused beverage: A non‑alcoholic beverage intended for human consumption that contains (or is represented to contain) hemp‑derived THC up to a cap of 5 milligrams (5 mg) total THC per container.

Licensing, endorsements, and sale channels

  • THC‑infused beverages may only be sold, distributed, or served at establishments that hold a specific infused‑beverage license endorsement issued by the Department of Business Regulation (division of commercial licensing).
  • Eligible applicants for endorsements:
    • Licensed liquor retailers (Class A) may apply to be “registered retailers” to sell at retail.
    • Licensed liquor wholesalers (Wholesale Class A or B) may apply to distribute at wholesale.
    • Licensed cannabis/marijuana retailers (chapter 28.11) may apply to sell.
    • Licensed on‑premise servers (Class B liquor) may apply to serve THC beverages on‑site; on‑premise servings must be consumed on the premises.
  • Endorsement fees (minimums stated in the bill):
    • Retail and on‑premise server endorsement: at least $250 per year.
    • Wholesaler endorsement: at least $1,500 per year.
  • The department must set minimum server training requirements (age verification, intoxication limits, safety) consistent with existing alcohol server training.

Dosage and product limits

  • Maximum 5 mg hemp‑derived THC per container.
  • Products are explicitly non‑alcoholic (not subject to Title 3 alcoholic beverage definition).

Taxes, reporting, and transitional requirements

  • The bill directs excise, litter, and sales taxes on THC‑infused beverages to be administered consistent with alcoholic beverage tax processes; the department will create a new commodity code.
  • Excise tax set at $3.30 per gallon (gallonage rate).
  • Transitional inventory requirement: businesses owning THC‑infused beverages in Rhode Island on August 1, 2025 must inventory those containers and submit required taxes by that date.
  • If a business fails to report/pay by August 1, 2025, the department may estimate inventory and invoice the business.
  • Fee revenue is to be deposited into the general fund (text truncated — full destination may be in final bill).

Enforcement and contractual limits

  • The chapter cannot be varied by private contract or agreement; any such provision is void to that extent.
  • The bill includes general enforcement authority via the department; additional penalties, procedural enforcement, labeling or testing standards may appear in the omitted/truncated portions.

Who is affected

  • Liquor wholesalers and retailers, cannabis/marijuana retailers, on‑premise servers, manufacturers/suppliers of hemp THC beverages, consumers (adult purchasers), and the Department of Business Regulation.
  • State revenue and tax administration (new commodity code and excise structure).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Introduced March 12, 2025; scheduled for hearing April 8, 2025; committee recommended holding for further study April 8, 2025.
  • Required inventory and tax reporting deadline for existing holders: August 1, 2025 (per bill text).

Uncertainties / items to review in full bill

  • The provided text was truncated; the final bill likely contains further details on labeling, testing, packaging, age limits, penalties, enforcement mechanics, and the full disposition of collected fees and taxes. Review the complete statute text and any proposed regulations from the Department of Business Regulation for implementation specifics.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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