Tisbury selectmen have taken another step toward retail recreational marijuana, approving a host-community agreement with Patient Centric.
Tisbury selectmen have taken another step toward retail recreational marijuana sales, approving a host-community agreement with Patient Centric of Martha’s Vineyard.
“This is a milestone for us,” board chairman Melinda Loberg said at a meeting Monday.
The contract requires Patient Centric, whose chief executive officer is Islander Geoff Rose, to pay the town an up-front fee of $20,000 as well as an annual $20,000 contribution to Tisbury’s affordable housing trust and $2,500 a year for marijuana education.
The town will also receive three per cent of the cannabis shop’s gross sales revenue, funded quarterly.
Under the new agreement, Patient Centric will not be permitted to request any tax credits or subsidies, and agrees to grant the town a no-cost easement to its property on Mechanic’s street if the town moves to make it a public way.
Town counsel Jonathan M. Silverstein noted that Patient Centric still needs to go through normal permitting and pay for any consultant fees the town may require as part of that process.
Mr. Rose plans to grow the shop’s marijuana in West Tisbury, according to the Patient Centric website.
The company has secured state permission to grow and sell medical marijuana in West Tisbury, but still needs to clear hurdles at the state level to sell retail marijuana on Island.
Also Monday, police chief Mark Saloio introduced selectmen to his department’s two new full-time officers.
Mike Cutrer and Julia Levesque were selected after a recruitment drive the chief said drew 23 resumes and cover letters.
“I’m very happy that these are our two finalists,” Mr. Saloio said.
Both Mr. Cutrer and Ms. Levesque grew up on the Island and graduated from Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School before going on to college and criminal justice careers, he said.
Selectmen voted to approve the hires and welcomed the new officers with handshakes.
Looking ahead to the town’s 350th birthday in 2021, selectmen discussed forming a committee to plan the celebration and agreed to place the action on an agenda for later this month.
In other business, selectman Jeff Kristal volunteered to represent Tisbury on the Healthy Aging Martha’s Vineyard Task Force.

Comments
Seems like it’s taken years
Tom Engley WTSeems like it’s taken years to get this done. Way too long. Really slow process and the Towns get a big pay check. Voted in 4 years ago.
Tom, the state took more time
informed Martha's VineysrdTom, the state took more time than anticipated to set up rules, committees and a process. It was approved years ago, yes but it's just coming into a process now. That and the towns had to wait for applicants and the applicant to go through the state process. Not the towns fault.
Nantucket has had a
Rich Vineyard HavenNantucket has had a recreational dispensary open for a year. Just saying.
Not pleased we are letting
Mark EdgartownNot pleased we are letting drugs be sold on island, this looks terrible optically.
Not pleased we offer
Slater MVNot pleased we offer excessive alcohol consumption on this island. Looks terrible optically...but I guess getting plastered and stumbling around dock street in the summer is just a socially acceptable right of passage???
Alcohol is a drug too but we
Patrick IslandAlcohol is a drug too but we sell that.
Drugs or all types have been
Abbie Normal The RockDrugs or all types have been sold on this island for generations. A legal marijuana store is a good thing, not a bad thing. Just taking it from the black market, untaxed, to the public market, and taxed. Also, annual donations for affordable housing is great. Will give new revenue to the town without raising the towns' tax base.
How is it any different than
Brendan EdgartownHow is it any different than any pharmacy on island? Only terrible optic is this post.
Yeah a cannabis store is
Mark EdgartownYeah a cannabis store is super classy and a great look for the community! As others have already alluded to, the island has existing substance abuse issues, adding another drug will not help. There is a reason it is regulated and illegal on a federal level.
Mark, cannabis is very much
Brendan EdgartownMark, cannabis is very much on the island. Added?!?! Cmon now. What this is doing is adding regulations while removing the black market. Dont want pot shops? Sure, then keep the black market drug dealers in business that are actually contributing to the substance abuse you speak of. There is a reason that it is slowly being legalized on a federal level. In 2019 alone the House has passed/approved two pretty groundbreaking acts, one that now allows banking institutions to deal with legalized cannabis vendors and an act was approved which will decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. Its clearly on that path to legalization. Just educate yourself and embrace rather than this "Not in my backyard fearmongering".
Absolutely "not in my back
Mark EdgartownAbsolutely "not in my back yard". I would prefer a federally illegal drug to remain as difficult to obtain as possible. A partisan supported measure does not equate to broad based support in any sense. Even IF cannabis we legalized, most banking institutions would never do business with suppliers given the representational issues, just as they don't do business with pay day lenders, etc.
Are you new here? It's legal
Jake TisburyAre you new here? It's legal and, (spoiler alert) it was already here. SMDH
Local Banks wouldn't be in a
gina MENEMSHA/ NYCLocal Banks wouldn't be in a Lending relationship w/ a growing business but they would be more than pleased to open a Business operating account for any retail operation IMO. I've seen it in other states. Banks hate to turn away Deposits & checking accounts..
Mark, do you know why it was
Brendan EdgartownMark, do you know why it was even made federally illegal over 100 years ago? Cliff notes, during the Mexican revolution it was insinuated that Mexican people were bringing a strand of powerful cannabis here that was inciting riots, violence and getting in the hands of children. It was 100% based off xenophobia and lies. Not actual truth or danger. We have no problem with liquor stores, cigarettes but have a problem with pot shops?!? Explain that to me in your next comment. Also your idea that banks wont do business with legal cannabis vendors is a little ridiculous...they wont follow the money?!?! Its a matter of when not if. You are taking a racist mindset from 110 years ago and applying it to today. Thought we made progress over the past 100+ years?? Like I said, embrace it. It's here to stay.
Ok, a few things to unpack
Mark EdgartownOk, a few things to unpack here. First, I don't care why cannabis is illegal on a federal level, it is and until that is changed by congress you can't argue the fact that it is illegal on that basis. Second, by your logic, other controlled substances should be legal and sold in a regulated matter, because hey isn't there a medical use for cocaine and other controlled substances. Third, there are numerous medical studies arguing both for and against whether cannabis is harmful to children and adults, no way to prove either conclusively based on medical research. Fourth, I deal with the banking industry today and regulators and shareholders actively encourage banks to not lend or engage with legal businesses such as pay day lenders, credit card companies with APRs above 36% and companies that are along the value chain of perceived "sin" industries. Lastly, to say I have a racist mindset is completely uncalled for, ignorant and childish.
Mark, oh man after that
Brendan EdgartownMark, oh man after that statement we are definitely done here. I was enjoying the back and forth. Maybe you should be first inline at the new shop, might help you relax.
I believe that Mark's actual
Greg MVI believe that Mark's actual name is Michael. Also a great football coach.
Thank you. His name has been
EditorsThank you. His name has been corrected.
Just what the Vineyard needs
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownJust what the Vineyard needs,more dope for the dopes. There are an incredible number of OUI's here for the size of the place,now the cops have to deal with more wasted drivers,there is already enough dope here. This place is turning into a mini Boston,between the drunks,the dopies and the head cases it's turning into happy acres
Also new officer Julia is
Tisbury voter Tisbury,maAlso new officer Julia is serving in Mass.National Guard.Proud of her and thank you for service to our Country.
Add new comment