Rhode Island Social Equity License Reset | Providence News

Providence News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 28, 2026 · 1m

Rhode Island’s cannabis social equity program is sparking outrage after investors who poured over half a million dollars into licensing applications are forced to restart from scratch — a move that’s gutting their dreams and leaving them with no recourse. Originally designed to uplift communities harmed by past drug laws, the program now locks out those it was meant to help, as new rules disqualify even previously approved applicants. Frustration boils over with protest signs like “The Program Built To Lift Her Up Now Locks Her Out,” highlighting the bitter irony. While the Cannabis Control…