Host of GoLocal's Business Monday Josh Fenton and DBR Director Liz Tanner
Liz Tanner, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) who has been at the forefront of working to reduce regulations and shift permitting to simpler online tools, joined GoLocal LIVE’s Business Monday.
Tanner discussed DBR's work to develop a regulatory structure in anticipation of the legalization of marijuana. Governor Gina Raimondo is pushing tor legalization of marijuana and the impact could be significant for law enforcement and cities and towns.
Tanner said that DBR, which already regulates hemp and medical marijuana, is working on a stringent regulatory structure. She said that if legalized by the RI General Assembly this session, Rhode Island will begin with the most stringent regulations in the country.
Blockchain
Tanner said Rhode Island’s existing laws has made the state attractive to companies developing and commercializing blockchain technology.
“I have to tell you at the end of the day, it ended up very little [on our end[ because we actually already had laws that were pretty open," said Tanner. "Take, Wyoming they've had to change their laws to allow for cryptocurrency and for block training electronic transactions -- we didn't have to change anything so blockchain is and crypto are fully allowable."
Tanner who presented at last summer’s RI Blockchain Summit said that House Majority Leader Joe Shekarchi has introduced one critical piece of legislation that is needed to make the state, arguably, the most blockchain technology friendly state.
E-Permitting
In addition, Tanner said that the state has worked well with cities and towns across Rhode Island to implement e-permitting to make more applications electronic, coordinated, and trackable online.
Mimosa Regulation
Tanner said that DBR has eliminated over 32,000 pages of regulations and worked to clarify and modernize others, including confusion about...mimosa.
“it was very unclear in the current regulations whether you could serve liquor before noon on Sundays and so a lot of people didn't serve liquor before noon on Sundays because they were thought they were going to get in trouble,” said Tanner. But, DBR did correct the regulation and now it is clear to restaurant owners that mimosas before noon are allowable.
For those with concerns or questions about a regulation in Rhode Island, please contact RI Commerce by clicking HERE or calling 401-278-9100.
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