Rhode Island Compassion Center Application Period: From July 17, 2020 to December 15, 2020
The Department of Business Regulations (DBR) released the application information and requirements to apply for a Rhode Island Compassion Center license. DBR will use a lottery-based system in awarding new licenses. The application period commenced on July 17, 2020, and will remain open until 3 p.m. on December 15, 2020. A Rhode Island Compassion Center acquires, possesses, cultivates, manufactures, delivers, transfers, transports, supplies, or dispenses medical marijuana, and/or related supplies and educational materials, to qualified patients and caregivers.
The Office of Cannabis Business Regulation within the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation is currently accepting applications for six new Compassion Center licenses. One license will be awarded for each of the six zones delineated in the license application materials, and applicants must apply for a license in a specific zone.
Though the deadline is quickly approaching, there is still time to put together a comprehensive application package or strengthen your existing Compassion Center application. Partnering with Catalyst BC enables our partners to move an application efficiently from planning to the finished product. The Catalyst BC team has completed and secured over 45 licenses to date, including a track record of winning in highly competitive and merit-based application processes like Maryland, Illinois, and, most recently, Missouri. Our team can assist in content strategy and development to support the application\’s specific requirements while collaboratively creating a cohesive storyline that is accurate, compelling, and executable. Catalyst BC will support your team through facility design and system integrations to create an efficient, sustainable operation built to win.
Catalyst BC is an international advisement company that has supported partners in 17 states, five countries and helped secure over 45 cannabis licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensing throughout the United States. Founded to engage and enable partners to perform at an accelerated rate through science, expertise, and our vast industry network, our broad umbrella of services covers genetics, operational support, project management, licensing compliance, and last-mile retail support. We strive to help new startups and established companies find opportunities to grow and expand their businesses.
The U.S. cannabis market is all set to thrive and exceed all expectations in the coming years. Creating a winning application and team to merit receiving a state marijuana license is a highly competitive and complicated application process. Luckily when you work with Catalyst BC, you have a partner that will guide you to success from the application process to beyond.
Additional Resources
Consulting Services For Cannabis, Hemp, Psilocybin, and Natural Medicine
- Consulting Services Overview
- Business Strategy
- Financial Planning
- Cannabis, Hemp, Psilocybin, & Natural Medicine Licensing and Applications
- Facility Design
- StartUp Support
- Genetic Development
- Business Turnaround
- Operational Optimization
- Vertical Farming
- Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA)
- State and Country Services Directory
- Blog
- Home
Testimonials and Public Relations
Latest Articles
- Open a Cannabis Consumption Lounge in New Jersey: Getting Started GuideNew Jersey’s adult-use law allows “cannabis consumption areas,” but only as an endorsement to existing licenses. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) decided not to create a new license class; instead, licensed Class 5 retailers (or permitted medical dispensaries) can apply for a Consumption Area Endorsement to their facility. This means only approved dispensaries (currently still coming online in NJ) can add a 21+ onsite use room. Applications for consumption area endorsements opened in January 2025.
- Open a Cannabis Lounge in New Mexico: Licensing & Compliance GuideNew Mexico’s Cannabis Regulation Act (2021) explicitly authorizes On-Site Consumption Area licenses (often called “consumption lounge” permits) under the NM Cannabis Control Division (CCD). The CCD issues two types of permits: Type I (non-smoking, edibles/vapor) and Type II (smoking allowed). A consumption area license lets a venue legally serve non-infused snacks/beverages and allow consumption of cannabis products by patrons age 21+. These can be standalone lounges or add-ons to other licensees (e.g. a dispensary or restaurant that obtains a consumption license).
- New York Cannabis Lounge License: Guide to Compliance and SuccessNew York State law provides for adult-use on-site consumption licenses under the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). As of 2025, New York is still in the early stages of issuing these licenses; only a handful of trial licenses have been granted. The Cannabis Law caps investment (no person can hold more than 3 consumption licenses) and prohibits vertical integration: lounge licensees cannot also hold dispensary, cultivation, or processor licenses. This was done to ensure lounges operate solely as consumption venues, not as sales outlets. Learn how to navigate the rules to successfully apply for your lounge license.
- U.S. Virgin Islands Cannabis Consumption Lounge Getting Started GuideThe U.S. Virgin Islands legalized adult-use cannabis in 2023, and its regulators have explicitly created consumption lounge permits. Under the Virgin Islands Cannabis Regulatory Advisory Board’s rules (approved April 2024), a qualified operator can obtain an Adult-Use Lounge Permit. This permit allows on-site cannabis consumption by adults 21+ in a designated area. Unlike many states, the USVI permits both smoking and non-smoking lounges, provided you choose the correct permit type.
- Nevada Cannabis Lounge License Guide: What You Need to KnowNevada has enthusiastically embraced consumption lounges. In 2021, Governor Sisolak signed AB 341 authorizing the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board (CCB) to license cannabis consumption lounges. After extensive stakeholder work, the CCB approved final regulations in late 2023. Lounges are split into two types: Retail Lounges (operated by licensed dispensaries or microbusinesses) and Independent Lounges (standalone sites).
- Are Missouri Cannabis Lounges Legal? Here’s What Entrepreneurs Need to KnowMissouri’s adult-use legalization (Amendment 3, 2022) did not establish any state license for cannabis lounges. Consequently, there is no state-regulated consumption lounge for recreational cannabis at this time. Instead, an underground network of private, membership-only clubs has emerged.
Explore Our Articles
Business Strategy cannabis applications Cannabis Bar Cannabis Business Optmization Cannabis Business Services cannabis careers Cannabis Compliance Cannabis Consumption Cannabis Consumption Bar Cannabis Inventory Management Systems cannabis jobs Cannabis Legalization cannabis licensing Cannabis Lounge cannabis marketing Cannabis Operational Procedures cannabis outreach Cannabis Regulations Cannabis Security Cannabis Software Cannabis Startup Cannabis Suppliers Cannabis Supply Chain Cannabis Technology Colorado controlled environment agriculture Cultivation cultivation facility Dispensary Design facility design Financial Planning Legal Update Legislation Medical Cannabis Minnesota Natural Medicine Nebraska New York Odor Control Oregon Psilocybin Psychedelics Recreational Cannabis Solventless Extraction Tribal Cannabis Licensing
Free Ebook – Start Your Own Legal Cannabis Business
