Cannabis establishments
(a) Purpose. It is the intent of this section to regulate the cultivation and distribution of cannabis as allowed by the Rhode Island Cannabis Act (G.L. 1956, tit. 21, ch. 28.11). The town is dedicated to supporting the requirements of this Act consistent with the health, safety, and general welfare of the community at large.
(b) Standards for all cannabis establishments.
(1) Cannabis establishments shall be prohibited in all zoning districts except in all industrial zoning districts, as specified in section 30-71 and only upon the issuance of a special use permit by the Burrillville zoning board of review in accordance with section 30-34(e) of this chapter.
(2) Pursuant to section 21-28.11-17.1(b)(3) of the Cannabis Act, the proposed cannabis establishment must not be located within 500 feet of a pre-existing public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any of grades one through 12. This distance shall be measured by a straight line from the nearest property line of the premises on which the proposed cannabis establishment is to be located to the nearest property line of the parcel on which the school is located. The applicant must show these distances on the site plan.
(3) The proposed cannabis establishment shall implement the appropriate security measures to deter and prevent the unauthorized entrance into areas containing cannabis and shall ensure that each location has an operational security/alarm system.
(4) The proposed cannabis establishment shall fully comply with all other licensing requirements of the town and laws of the state.
(c) Standards for cannabis cultivator, cannabis product manufacturer, and cannabis testing laboratory. In addition to the standards above under section 30-165(b), special use permits for cannabis cultivators, cannabis product manufacturers, and cannabis testing laboratories shall not be granted unless each of the following standards have been met:
(1) Cultivation, manufacturing, and testing activities shall not be visible from the street or other public areas;
(2) The applicant shall apply for the appropriate inspections and provide documentation of approval by the local fire chief;
(3) In addition to the requirements above, the applicant shall demonstrate to the building official that the following requirements have been met.
a. That the area used for cultivation, manufacturing, and testing activities be secured by locked doors;
b. That the area used for cultivation, manufacturing, and testing activities has two means of egress;
c. That the area used for cultivation, manufacturing, and testing activities shall not be within ten feet of a heating or other ignition source such as an electric, propane, natural gas or oil;
d. That the area used for cultivation, manufacturing, and testing activities shall have proper ventilation to mitigate the risk of mold;
e. That the area used for cultivation, manufacturing, and testing activities shall have carbon filters installed to reduce odors;
f. That a monitored fire alarm system with hard-wired smoke detectors is installed on the premises in accordance with state fire code and/or to the satisfaction of the local fire chief.
(d) Enforcement.
(1) Any person or organization found to be in violation of this section shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with section 30-32 of this chapter and subject to violations and penalties as provided in chapter 1, section 1-6, general penalty; continuing violations.
(2) All unpermitted pre-existing cultivation shall be required to comply with this section or else seek status as a medical marijuana cultivator and comply with section 30-162.
(Ord. of 03-22-2023 (3))