Rhode Island Regulates THC Drinks Amid High Impaired‑Driving Fatalities

The Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission is reviewing rules for THC‑infused beverages. Hemp‑derived THC can currently be sold in liquor stores, while cannabis‑derived THC is limited to licensed dispensaries. Several bars and restaurants, such as Julians in Providence and the Pub at 2‑Mile Corner in Middletown, have applied for licenses to serve these drinks, and the commission maintains a list of approved establishments.

State traffic safety data shows Rhode Island’s impairment‑related deaths remain well above the national average. The state recorded 52 traffic fatalities in 2022, jumped to 70 in 2023 – the highest since 2017 – and fell back to 52 in 2024. Alcohol‑related crashes account for 43.7% of 2022 deaths, roughly 14 percentage points higher than the U.S. average. Moreover, Rhode Island leads the nation in the share of fatal crashes involving drivers with blood‑alcohol concentrations of .15 g/dL or higher, at 32% compared with the national 21% rate.