Smoke On The Water: Martha's Vineyard Weed Dispensary To Reopen As State Regulators Allow Maritime Shipments Following Legal Settlement

Addressing the pressing cannabis crisis at Martha’s Vineyard, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) issued an administrative order permitting the first-ever maritime transport of state-legal cannabis. This groundbreaking decision resolves a lawsuit filed by Vicente LLP, representing island dispensaries, enabling them to overcome severe supply shortages that threatened their operation and marking a significant victory for cannabis users and state sovereignty.

Lawsuit Resolves Cannabis Transport Restrictions

Massachusetts’ stringent regulations prohibited the transportation of cannabis products across state territorial waters, a policy that isolated island dispensaries, forcing them to depend solely on local cultivation. This posed substantial challenges, particularly for Martha’s Vineyard, where local cultivator Fine Fettle is set to close due to economic strains, exacerbating the supply shortage amid rising tourist demand.

Under the terms of the new state order, reached through a settlement shortly after Vicente LLP represented local cannabis retail shops Island Time and The Green Lady Dispensary in a lawsuit against the CCC filed on May 21, reverses the state’s stance, allowing shipments strictly within state waters, thereby navigating around federal restrictions. “The first-of-its-kind decision will reinvigorate the marijuana industries on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, opening the door to more jobs and a wider tax base for the hospitality-driven islands,” remarked Adam Fine, managing partner at Vicente LLP’s Boston office.

The issue at the heart of the lawsuit was the ongoing conflict between state and federal cannabis regulations, a point highlighted by Tim Swain, Vicente LLP’s Litigation Practice Group director. “The legal issue in this case highlights the longstanding conflict between state and federal regulations regarding cannabis transportation,” Swain explained.

Island Dispensary Cheers Regulatory Changes

Previously, Geoff Rose, owner of Island Time, had expressed his optimism about the regulatory shift. "I appreciate the efforts of the CCC commissioners and staff to address this very important issue — one that has been long overdue for attention," he told the Boston Globe. The CCC’s new directive ensures that both recreational users and the over 230 registered medical cannabis patients on Martha’s Vineyard maintain reliable access to legal cannabis, averting the potential public health risks associated with illicit market alternatives.

As the CCC finalizes inspections on delivery boats, Island Time plans to recommence operations swiftly, aiming to meet the heightened summer demand.

Photo credit: Le grand Cricri

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