Residents of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, the islands off the coast of Massachusetts, recently spoke up about the need to permit medical cannabis to be transported across the waters of the Vineyard Sound.
Currently, that waterway falls under federal jurisdiction, and the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) has a rule in place that prevents cannabis from being transported across water or via airspace. Fortunately for residents, the CCC changed this rule on June 13 so that cannabis products can now be shipped on a “sea worthy vessel” through the waters that separate the islands from mainland Massachusetts, which took effect on June 14.
According to the Boston Globe, CCC Commissioner Bruce Stebbins described the change as “a very important step” to assisting the islands’ 500 medical and adult-use cannabis consumers, as well as the limited cannabis business owners who opened up shop there. “Patient access… has always been a priority,” said Stebbins. “And combatting the illicit market—making sure it does not affect Nantucket and the Vineyard—is also critical.”
One of the medical cannabis dispensaries on Martha’s Vineyard, Island Time, is owned by Geoff Rose, who praised the CCC in taking action. “Today is a great day in providing equity for operators on the island,” he told the Boston Globe. “I appreciate the efforts of the CCC commissioners and staff to address this very important issue — one that has been long overdue for attention.”
Rose also took to social media on Jun 14 to expand upon the news. “It came down to the wire, but the Cannabis Control Commission has taken action to preserve cannabis on Martha’s Vineyard by authorizing the transport of products from the mainland,” Rose said in a video. “The outpouring of local support at the commission’s public meeting last week was evident. Patients, patient advocates, an …
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Author: Nicole Potter / High Times
