Portsmouth dispensary sues Rhode Island over recreational pot bill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Portsmouth dispensary is suing the state of Rhode Island after they argue that a “provision” of the Cannabis Act is unconstitutional.

Under the Cannabis Act, marijuana providers have to enter into “labor peace agreements,” or LPA Mandate, if they want to legally sell marijuana in Rhode Island.

The LPA Mandate applies to both retailers and compassion centers.

Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center claims the LPA Mandate “deprives” workers of their “bargaining powers, forces them to agree to unfavorable terms, and deprives” them of being able to strike.

The suit further argues the mandate violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the National Labor Relations Act.

Greenleaf is looking for a judge to rule the provision unconstitutional.

ABC 6 News reached out to the Department of Business Regulation for comment, but they said they “don’t comment on ongoing litigation.”