Online training tackles safety, compliance and responsible service practices

From Staff Reports

RI Hospitality, the state’s trade association for more than 900 foodservice, hotel, vendor, and other hospitality members since 1963, launched a first-of-its-kind training program designed to help restaurants, bars, retailers, and hospitality workers safely serve THC-infused beverages.

The new “Hemp THC-Infused Beverage Service Training” course is the result of a nine-month development effort in collaboration with industry partners and subject-matter experts. Rhode Island is now the first state hospitality association in the U.S. to offer a comprehensive certification program dedicated specifically for THC-infused beverage service.

Rhode Island allows licensed restaurants, bars, and retailers to sell and serve hemp-derived THC beverages that meet state limits for potency, labeling, and age verification. The products are regulated under the state’s hemp framework rather than the adult-use cannabis system, which permits on-premises service when businesses follow licensing and safety requirements. The training helps operators understand these rules and meet their responsibilities under Rhode Island law.

Recent regulatory changes, including the decision by the Cannabis Control Commission to pause the issuance of new THC beverage licenses for restaurants and bars, have intensified the need for standardized training. RI Hospitality continues to work closely with policymakers and has been asked to participate in the forthcoming state-led study related to THC beverage service and public safety.

“With THC beverages entering mainstream hospitality settings, operators need clear guidelines and practical training,” said Farouk Rajab, President & CEO of RI Hospitality. “This certification helps establishments protect their guests, support their staff, and stay compliant in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.”

Rhode Island hospitality businesses can take the course online via Train321.com. The fee is $45. The program provides hospitality workers with a grounded understanding of safe service practices, including:

• Legal age restrictions and verification requirements;
• Appropriate serving sizes and basic dosing principles;
• Differences between CBD and THC;
• How the body metabolizes THC and typical onset times;
• Identifying and responding to signs of overconsumption; and
• Compliance, liability, and responsible service protocols.

Participants who complete the course and pass the exam earn a three-year certification from RI Hospitality. The training mirrors the structure and accessibility of familiar programs like ServSafe® and is designed to be adaptable for other markets. 

“Hospitality businesses want to do the right thing, and that begins with education,” said Rajab. “This program gives servers, bartenders, managers, and owners the tools they need to navigate this new category confidently and responsibly.”

For more information, contact RI Hospitality at 401-223-1120 or info@rihospitality.org.