For years, growers and sellers participating in Rhode Island’s medical-marijuana program have been frustrated watching counterparts in Massachusetts and other states with legal recreational sales flourish.
Come December they’ll finally be able to fully tap into what is still a national growth industry. That’s when recreational sales to adults become legal in the state. As this week’s cover story reports, strong growth is expected, at least initially, with annual sales expected to climb significantly in the first year or two.
That is good news for sellers and growers already in the state’s medical program that are now ramping up for recreational sales.
But it is unclear how quickly job growth will follow statewide. There are now about 2,000 people employed in the Rhode Island industry. That number will grow with demand.
Initially, however, retail sales will be limited to nine stores expected to be ready to open by next April. It will be months and possibly much longer before many of the 30 or so more expected licensed stores are able to clear still-developing regulatory hurdles.
If most of the new shops can thrive in an increasingly competitive regional marketplace, then the local industry could grow rapidly.
Thankfully, Johnson & Wales University and the University of Rhode Island are among the schools not waiting to build a workforce pipeline.
JWU has 70 students in a four-year degree program that could produce the first wave of locally educated cultivators, marketers and lab workers needed to help the local industry flourish.
