Reciprocity in RI

On July 16, Rhode Island became one of the few progressive US states that allows full reciprocity with medical marijuana patients from other states. Several other states have existing reciprocity laws, but few of them are as allowing as little Rhody’s. Reciprocity is important for a number of reasons, the first of which for Rhode Islanders is tourism. With a large part of the economy in the Ocean State reliant on tourism, this added draw will only boost seasonal work and the sales tax collected on medical marijuana purchases. Another major reason to allow reciprocity is to allow full access to all kinds of cannabis formulations for patients whose home state may be more restrictive. Many patients in states like New York and New Jersey are in search of things like edibles and concentrates that some local governments don’t allow due to fears of overconsumption or appealing to children.

States with Medical Reciprocity:

Rhode Island — Patients must bring a physical card (not a paper certificate or online recommendation) as well as a driver’s license from the same state as their medical license. All states in the US are allowed. Patients may possess up to 2.5 ounces.

Washington DC — Allows for patients from 16 different states to shop in their dispensaries with paper or physical card and a driver’s license. California is not on the approved list, greatly reducing the number of out-of-state patients who could be serviced in the nation’s capital.

New Hampshire — Out-of-state patients can possess legally in the state, however they may not purchase from the state’s dispensaries. Patient’s can possess up to 2 ounces, and they must have a qualifying condition listed under New Hampshire’s medical marijuana legislation.

Arizona — Like New Hampshire, patients may possess, but can’t visit any local dispensaries. Patients may possess up to 2.5 ounces.

State’s with adult use legalization:

California — Now allowing retail sales to adults 21 years and older, you can possess up to 28.5g (about one ounce) or 5g of concentrate.

Colorado — The first state in the country to allow adult use sales, Colorado allows out-of-staters to possess up to an ounce, and you can only purchase a quarter ounce at a time.

Washington — Closely following Colorado with full legalization, Washington has very thorough guidelines for its possession limits. One may have up to an ounce of flower, 16 ounces of solid infused edibles, 72 ounces of infused drinks and 7 ounces of concentrates.

Maine — After legalizing cannabis in 2016, Maine has been slow to roll out its adult-use program. It is legal to possess and use cannabis in the state, but retail sales have been slower to implement due to local government pushback. You can possess up to 2.5 ounces in the state either as a medical card or adult user.

Massachusetts — As of July 1, adult use is fully legalized in the Bay State. While no dispensaries have been approved to make retail sales yet, some provisional licenses have been granted. You may purchase up to an ounce of flower or 5 grams of concentrate.

Nevada — Another major tourism hot spot, Nevada allows adults to possess an ounce of cannabis flower and up to 3.5 grams of concentrate. Until March 2018, medical patients from out of state were able to possess up to 2.5 ounces, but now fall under the adult use rules.

Oregon — Another state with very clear-cut rules on possession, Oregon also has some of the cheapest flower prices in the country. Adults can possess up to an ounce of flower, 16 ounces of solid infused edibles, 72 ounces of infused liquids, 1 ounce of concentrate and 16 ounces of cannabis topicals.

Another very important thing to remember when purchasing out of state is that despite state reciprocity laws, it is federally illegal to bring a schedule I substance over state lines. So, while it’s totally legal to try out some new products when you’re visiting, you aren’t allowed to bring them home with you.