<p>The Martha’s Vineyard Commission has approved what may become the Island’s first facility for growing, testing and packaging medical marijuana.</p>
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission has approved what may become the Island’s first facility for growing, testing and packaging medical marijuana.
Geoff Rose, owner of Patient Centric of Martha’s Vineyard, plans to share space in a 7,200-square-foot building on Dr. Fisher Road in West Tisbury. The building itself, planned by Big Sky Tents owner Jim Eddy, was approved by the commission in 2010 but has yet to be built.
During a public review this spring, residents raised concerns about increased traffic on Dr. Fisher Road, and the site’s proximity to the West Tisbury School 2,400 feet to the south. But the final plans on Thursday passed with little debate.
“It seems to me on balance that the project is a benefit,” commissioner Joan Malkin said during a discussion of pros and cons on the project on Thursday night.
As part of its approval, the commission also approved the associated modifications to the Big Sky Tents proposal, which previously involved a 9,600 square foot building at the site. The commission agreed that a reduced footprint and other modifications would also be a benefit.
“This proposal will provide a service to the Island that it currently doesn’t have, and in that regard this location is a good place for it,” commissioner Fred Hancock said.
Mr. Rose had originally proposed both a cultivation center and dispensary in an existing 2,000-square-foot building on State Road in West Tisbury, but the plans changed when he learned the state would require an on site testing lab. Plans for a grow facility and dispensary were later revised to become solely a grow facility, with the dispensary located elsewhere.
Mr. Rose has not yet proposed a new location for the dispensary.
The commission vote was 12-1 in favor of the project.
A motion by Linda Sibley to approve the project was later amended by Christina Brown to include a statement saying the project would benefit the Island by providing a new service.
The roll call vote was as follows: Voting to approve were Clarence A. (Trip) Barnes 3rd, Christina Brown, Rob Doyle, Josh Goldstein, Fred Hancock, Joan Malkin, Kathy Newman, Ben Robinson, Doug Sederholm, Linda Sibley, Ernie Thomas and Jim Vercruysse. Leonard Jason Jr., who cast the lone dissenting vote, suggested that the project was unnecessary.
“You’re going to tell me there is no grass on this Island? Give me a break,” he said.
The proposal now returns to the West Tisbury zoning board of appeals for review. A meeting has tentatively been set for July 13.
Reached by phone after the commission vote late last week, Mr. Rose said he had already applied to the state to have the cultivation center and dispensary at separate locations. He expected that process to take a few weeks.
All told, he said he expects to be open for business in about a year.
The process has been full of twists and turns, as town and state governments work to regulate medical and recreational marijuana.
Nine years ago, marijuana was illegal in Massachusetts. In 2008 voters decided to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana, and in 2012 medical marijuana use became legal. Recreational use was approved in a voter referendum last year.
But state lawmakers have been tinkering with the recreational law. Just last week the state senate passed a modified version of a bill approved by the house. A compromise bill is expected before the state legislature adjourns for summer recess. How much sales tax to charge and a provision that would allow towns to ban marijuana shops are among the unsettled issues.
The senate bill also takes into account the problem of transporting marijuana over federal waters by instructing state Cannabis Control Commission to find ways to ensure the Vineyard and Nantucket have convenient access to the product, according to a senate press release on Friday.
Mr. Rose said he couldn’t predict how the bill might affect his own business plans. But by now he said he is well accustomed to the complicated work associated with opening a medical marijuana facility.
“The process has been more, I would say, comprehensive than I perhaps had anticipated,” he said. “But we are continuing to move forward.”
Comments
Mr. Jason's comment was
WashAbhored EdgartownMr. Jason's comment was obnoxious and highly disrespectful to every person that could be helped by medical marijuana on this Island. Perhaps, he hopes that the people needing this drug buy it from illegal and unlicensed sources...or that they bear the expense of traveling off island.
Just what the island need
charlie callahan so boston/edgartownJust what the island need,more and easier to get drugs
I think Mr. Jason's comment
Mr. B ChilmarkI think Mr. Jason's comment may have reference to the amount of marijuana that has been (and certainly is) grown on the island.
Will they be giving out free
Ken Edg.Will they be giving out free seeds like the dispensaries on the coast? Id like to get started on my 12 plants.
At this moment, there is no
Sumner Silverman Vineyard HavenAt this moment, there is no legal way to purchase medical (or any) cannabis on this island. Unless a patient is willing, and able to grow their own plants, they must break the law. They must either buy from an illicit source or purchase off-island and break the law by crossing federal waters which is also braking the law. Yes, there is much grass available on the island if you are willing to be a criminal.
Cannabis is Plant Medicine.
Martha MageeCannabis is Plant Medicine. It's healing capabilities are only just now beginning to be allowed to be known. Because Cannabis was wrongly and erroneously classified in 1971 as a Schedule 1 drug in the same category as Heroin, kindness of Mr Nixon, the American People were robbed of the true medicinal benefits of this wonderful plant. Has it been oversmoked and misused? Yes. This, in large part to it's being illegal in our society. People have not been taught or educated as to it's right use with the correct understanding. Sis you know that Cannabis Oil, for example, has healed many many conditions and diseases, including STAGE IV Cancers? While bringnig NO HARM WHATSOEVER to the body unlike chemo and radiation? Stopped Parkinson's tremors within an hour of taking it? And been effective at reversing, with correct preparation of the oil/plant medicine, countless other kinds of ailments and conditions? Although Native Peoples the world over, our ancestors and even our founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson and others who grew hemp ( most people did) understood the heLing properties of Cannabis, we in this day and age are only just coming back around to it. This is a very exciting new frontier. States like Colorado are leading the way. We are just beginning to scratch the surface on this exciting new field. How wonderful that Martha's Vineyard gets to be part of that First Wave. There is never a crowd on the leading edge. Cannabis must be made legal in this country. Enough with the Draconian Darkness that would keep people from the Truth. . Cannabis is Plant Medicine. Anyone who does not understand that is simply operating out of ignorance fostered since the Nixon Era. Educate yourself about the healing capabilities of this wonderful plant. Read the research. Look deeper. Open your eyes. Keep an open mind. Information is Light and Light is Understanding. Thank you Geoff Rose! GOOOOO Martha's Vineyard !
Almost all allopathic drugs
Juleann West TisburyAlmost all allopathic drugs begin life as "plant medicine".
While it's tempting to blame many of our country's legislative ills on Mr. Nixon, marijuana had been deemed illegal decades earlier -- our first attempt to limit immigration from Mexico.
I hope everyone will read the research and become educated about the differences between the ratio of cannabinoids in any given product in order to treat symptoms. Currently, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the two most understood. The Massachusetts MMD law does not actually require dispensaries to stock "product" with a ratio known to treat specific symptoms -- and prescriptions are not written with that in mind either.
Anyone seeking to use medical marijuana to treat symptoms should seek a qualified presciber who truly understands the science and has experience applying specific ratios of cannabinoids along with the route of administration. This is not your mothers' (or grandmother's . . . .) pot.
Just a p.s.
Martha MageeJust a p.s.
The healing properties of Cannabid ( CBD Oil which does not contain THC or get you high) cannot be underestimated.
CBD has a wide range of medical benefits.
Although CBD and THC act on different pathways of the body, they seem to have many of the same medical benefits. According to a 2013 review published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, studies have found CBD to possess the following medical properties:
Antiemetic Reduces nausea and vomiting
Anticonvulsant Suppresses seizure activity
Antipsychotic Combats psychosis disorders
Anti-inflammatory Combats inflammatory disorders
Anti-oxidant Combats neurodegenerative disorders
Anti-tumoral/Anti-cancer Combats tumor and cancer cells
Anxiolytic/Anti-depressant Combats anxiety and depression
As well as:
Acne
ADD and ADHD
Addiction
AIDS
ALS
Alzheimer’s Disease
Anorexia
Antibiotic Resistance
Atherosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Bipolar
Cancer
Digestive Issues
Diabetes
Endocrine Disorders
Epilepsy and Seizures
Fibromyalgia
Glaucoma
Heart Disease
Huntington’s Disease
Inflammation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Kidney Disease
Liver Disease
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mood Disorders
Motion Sickness
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Nausea
Neurodegeneration
Chronic Pain
Obesity
OCD
Osteoporosis/Bone Health
Parkinson’s Disease
Prion/Mad Cow disease
PTSD
Rheumatism
Schizophrenia
Sickle Cell Anemia
Skin Conditions
Sleep Disorders
Spinal Cord Injury
Stress
Stroke and TBI
KEEP AN OPEN MIND!
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. "
- Hamlet (1.5.167-8), Hamlet to Horatio
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
" There are more things in Heaven and Earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy"
Mr. Jason is correct. There
KirkMr. Jason is correct. There is plenty of marijuana in Woods Hole and the Vineyard regardless of these bigger grow facilities. As far as his disdain for marijuana there are lots of us who feel the same way about booze. Look at all the stupid stuff people do under the influence of booze. If the people who were anti marijuana ganged up on the booze drinkers it would be harder to get booze and better for the entire society.
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