Massachusetts cannabis regulators have issued an executive order for the first time allowing marijuana shipments to the state's famous islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.
The order comes amid reports that Martha's Vineyard pot is running out, with one dispensary temporarily closing in May and another dispensary closing in September without more supply. announced that it would be closed.
The regulations would have prohibited the transport of marijuana on the state's waters from mainland Massachusetts to the islands, which have a rich history and are best known in modern times as summer playgrounds for liberal elites.
One of the dispensaries, Island Time, had filed a lawsuit against the state regulator, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.
“We need solutions, we need them for our patients, we need them for the people who use cannabis, and we need them now,” Island Time dispensary owner Jeff Rose said, as reported by NBC. We need that,” he said, adding: situation. So literally within a week, we're going to have to shut down forever. ”
Another dispensary, Fine Fettle, was the only pot grower on the island and offered all its pots for sale. However, Fine Fettle said the small-scale cultivation operation was no longer economically viable and would be closed.
Massachusetts voters chose to legalize marijuana more than seven years ago, but the state board had previously not allowed the shipment of marijuana to the island. It took the position that transporting marijuana across oceans, whether by boat or plane, risked violating federal law.
Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, although the federal government's stance is showing signs of softening. The U.S. Department of Justice moved last month to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, but recreational use is still not legal.
Martha's Vineyard has more than 230 registered medical users and thousands more recreational users.
As states legalize marijuana, tensions between conflicting state and federal regulations are spreading across the country. For example, California law explicitly allows the transportation of marijuana to stores on Catalina Island, but Hawaii addressed the challenge last year by amending its law to allow the transportation of medical marijuana between islands. did.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
