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Portsmouth council schedules public hearing on adding THC beverages to public-consumption ordinance
Summary
Council voted 7-0 to hold a public hearing Sept. 9 to consider amending the town ordinance that bans public consumption of alcoholic beverages to also prohibit cannabinoid/THC-infused beverages in public spaces.
The Portsmouth Town Council voted unanimously Aug. 12 to schedule a public hearing on Sept. 9 to consider amending the town ordinance that bans public consumption of alcoholic beverages to include cannabinoid-containing (THC) beverages.
Georgie Cranson, coordinator for the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition, asked the council to update Chapter 89 (the town’s public-consumption ordinance for alcohol) to cover THC-infused beverages and other cannabinoid-containing drinks that have become more widely available in Rhode Island retail outlets. "These beverages are becoming more widely available in Rhode Island," Cranson said, and she urged the council to close an enforcement loophole by aligning local rules with current product availability and prevention messaging.
Councilors discussed the process needed for an ordinance change. Council moved and approved a motion to hold a public hearing and consider language that would add "cannabinoid-containing beverages" to public-consumption prohibitions. The council also noted that some liquor stores in town already sell THC-infused beverages and that enforcement and ID checks differ between dispensaries and other outlets.
Council President (name not specified) said the item would follow the normal ordinance-change process and be advertised for the Sept. 9 meeting. The motion to hold a public hearing passed 7-0.
Ending
The council formalized only the hearing date on Aug. 12; no ordinance language was adopted. The public hearing will be the next step to gather testimony and consider specific draft wording to amend Chapter 89.
