PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Providence is one step closer to allowing expanded retail cannabis sales throughout the city.

In a meeting Thursday night, the Providence City Council passed a retooled cannabis zoning ordinance , which updates municipal zoning code to comply with the Rhode Island Cannabis Act .

The 2022 law split the state into six geographic zones and allowed up to four retail-only licensed cannabis establishments in each zone. Providence shares a zone with Central Falls, Johnston, North Providence, and Lincoln.

Councilors approved the ordinance in 11-2 vote on Thursday night. Councilman James Taylor recused himself from the vote, and Councilwoman Althea Graves was absent.

The ordinance now heads to Mayor Brett Smiley’s office.

Mayor Brett Smiley spokesperson Josh Estrella said on Friday that the mayor intends to let the ordinance pass without his signature.

“Mayor Smiley appreciates the robust public dialogue that has taken place on both the State and local level around the zoning of cannabis retail in Providence and is thankful for the City Council’s community engagement around this work,” Estrella said. “While he would have preferred for this ordinance to have included a citywide special use permit for cannabis retail, he does not intend on vetoing this ordinance.”

Rhode Island was the 19th state in the country to legalize the drug for recreational use.

The state law allows adults over 21 years old to possess up to one ounce of marijuana in public or up to 10 ounces at home, cultivate up to six plants at home, and purchase limited amounts of cannabis.

Now, Providence could have up to four licensed cannabis retailers open up shop in designated areas of the city, and creates two new classifications — Social Equity/Worker’s Cooperative Cannabis Retailer and Cannabis Retailer — which the city said are designed to mirror the state’s licensing types.

The city said the license classifications would ensure “that communities disproportionately harmed by past marijuana laws, as well as cooperative business models, can meaningfully benefit from the cannabis industry.”

“With zoning priority given to social equity and worker-owned cannabis retailers, this ordinance ensures that communities most impacted by past cannabis criminalization are best positioned to benefit,” a council news release said.

The ordinance was vetted over the last several months with three public hearings and a community meeting. The City Planning Commission also took public comment.

Community input led to some changes to the ordinance, including making sure there are strict signage guidelines and keeping a mandatory buffer of at least 500 feet away from any public or private school. Plus, any prospective retail owners need to notify neighbors within 200 feet of the potential new establishment.

There are consequences if retailers don’t comply with the city’s signage requirement. Failure to post proper signage would result in a fine of $100 for a first offense and $250 for each subsequent offense.

“Informed by feedback from residents, we’ve crafted and passed an ordinance that expands opportunity for communities harmed by the failed War on Drugs, promotes economic development, and prioritizes the safety of our neighborhoods,” Council President Rachel Miller said in a news release.

Alexandra Leslie ( aleslie@wpri.com ) is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook .

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