Cannabis and Drugs
R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-22 — from twenty-one years of age, one ounce in public, ten ounces and six plants at home, and no smoking where tobacco is barred
A person twenty-one years of age or older may do each of these without being arrested, prosecuted or penalized, so long as the security rules for plants and storage are met:
- Possessing, using, buying from a licensed retailer, or processing one ounce or less of cannabis, or the equivalent in concentrate.
- Growing up to three mature and three immature plants per dwelling unit, however many people live there.
- Keeping up to ten ounces per resident in a primary residence, beside the plants.
- Giving away up to one ounce to another adult, without payment and without advertising it.
Where smoking is not covered. Smoking or vaping cannabis is not permitted on a school bus or public transportation, on school grounds, in a prison, or in any public place where tobacco smoking is barred. Neither is driving or boating under its influence, though metabolites alone do not make a person under the influence.
Possessing other controlled substances without a prescription may bring imprisonment for not more than three years, or a fine of $500 to $5,000, or both. More than one ounce of marijuana outside the cannabis law is a misdemeanor, up to one year or $200 to $500.
Federal law still treats cannabis as a controlled substance. A particular situation is a question for a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-22 — Personal use of cannabis
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28.11-29 — Prohibited activities
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28-4.01 — Prohibited acts A; Penalties
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Rhode Island attorney.