West Tisbury’s first marijuana business is changing hands, under an agreement between Patient Centric owner Geoff Rose and FFD Enterprises.
West Tisbury’s first marijuana business is changing hands, under an agreement between Patient Centric owner Geoff Rose and FFD Enterprises, doing business as Fine Fettle.
West Tisbury selectmen voted Wednesday night to support the transfer of Patient Centric’s community-host agreements with the town.
The license transfers still need to clear the town zoning board of appeals, which issues special permits for the business and its grow facility.
A three-generation family firm based in Connecticut, FFD has been in existence for more than 50 years in the telecommunications, medical and addiction-treatment fields, company president Benjamin Zachs told the selectmen at their regular meeting.
Fine Fettle currently has medical dispensaries in Connecticut, an outdoor cultivation facility in western Massachusetts and a processing plant in Rhode Island that makes products with marijuana extracts, Mr. Zachs said,
“We’ve worked across the three levels of the supply chain,” he said.
The agreement with Mr. Rose includes all of Patient Centric’s West Tisbury assets, including all the current state licenses for operations, cultivation, processing, testing and dispensing cannabis as well as leased property at 90 Dr. Fisher Road.
“We’re currently expanding our cultivation operation there to meet more of the market demand,” Mr. Rose said.
Fine Fettle plans to keep Patient Centric’s current staff, Mr. Zachs told selectmen. Mr. Rose said approximately half a dozen people currently work for the company.
Mr. Rose, who formed Patient Centric in 2013 following statewide vote approving medical marijuana in Massachusetts, said it’s not clear when the West Tisbury retail operation will be cleared to open to the public.
“Nobody has a clear sense of when the state may approve [it]. It could be in the April time period, could be May, but that’s speculation,” he said, speaking to the Gazette by phone Thursday morning.
He said the buyer first contacted him last summer.
“It was an opportunity that really served both of us,” Mr. Rose said.
Meanwhile, Patient Centric continues to move forward with plans for a retail cannabis dispensary on Mechanic street in Vineyard Haven, Mr. Rose said. The shop plans to purchase its products from Fine Fettle.
“We’re hopeful that we will be able to serve the adult use market in the summer,” Mr. Rose said, adding that he anticipates that the Vineyard Haven dispensary will be able to provide medical marijuana before it opens for adult use.
Under permits issued by their host towns, both the Patient Centric and Fine Fettle dispensaries will be appointment only, he also said.

Comments
I am sure this was the plan
Bob WTI am sure this was the plan from the get go..... If a big company like FFD came to the Island and proposed to do what Mr. Rose did we would not allow it. Thanks Mr. Rose
Bob, I am inclined to agree
Lorraine EdgartownBob, I am inclined to agree with you after watching human beings and their actions and reactions for decades now.
We'll see if the same
TAD ChappyWe'll see if the same strawman tactic is ultimately used for the Vineyard Haven dispensary too.
Well the “plan” worked... Get
TC West TisburyWell the “plan” worked... Get a local to push the pot factory... then sell to who backed him...genius
I'm not surprised after the
gina Menemsha/NYCI'm not surprised after the onerous & expensive process Mr. Rose has endured He's done the heavy lifting so why not let him move on . @ least this buyer seems to have depth in this Industry which should count for something.. .
Let's be fair. Who cares who
CS VHLet's be fair. Who cares who owns this business or any other island business as long as it's contributing to the economic welfare of the island citizenry? MV is parochial when it serves the interests of the narrow minded but looks the other way when when it doesn't. Stop shopping at Stop & Shop and Amazon if it really matters to you who owns the place where you shop otherwise get off your high horses. Congratulations to Mr. Rose for having the patience and skill to get this deal through all the silly island committees and their endless navel gazing and get this business up and running.
Right on. Who cares? If
Local MVYRight on. Who cares? If people here aren’t spouting their sanctimony about any other businesses they’re just hypocrites. No question an experienced owner of a regulated business that prioritizes following the regs from off island is better than someone who doesn’t from off island.
Well, there are still a few
Dana Nunes ChilmarkWell, there are still a few of us who do care. There remains a steadily vanishing island sensibility that used to attract people here; a different way of living and thinking that brought those who wished to live somewhat outside of the box. Many of the wealthy who came wanted to blend in, not stand out but those days, too, are over. It’s not just about “contributing to the economic welfare,” it’s about caring about who the island citizenry are, and what they’re particular, and sometimes peculiar, needs might be. One case in point: the once utterly reliable Vineyard Propane, run by the Estrella family, who knew their customers and were there to help when we needed them, now Amerigas, who can’t find their tanks with both hands. I don’t see a problem with an off-island purchase of Jeff’s business. The concern, I think, is that they may not understand the island dynamics. It’s simply about understanding the populace you serve, as opposed to a one-size-fits-all approach. And, by the way, Amazon is not actually ON the island.
This is beautifully put. And
Molly West TisburyThis is beautifully put. And count me in as one who still cares.
Dana, count me in as well.
Lorraine EdgartownDana, count me in as well. Very well written and described.
Well said - diplomatic and
MTF EdgartownWell said - diplomatic and excellent points. It's all about balance, hopefully there will be enough peculiar new-comers to off-set the other new-comers. I think the Island benefits from balance. Count me as a peculiar one!!
Yes, we do care...well said,
virginia yorke aquinnahYes, we do care...well said, with an excellent analogy.
Dana.
it was the plan from day one.
jim bishopit was the plan from day one. He and his partner were just straws to get through the towns system. They espoused how they wanted to help the islanders nothing more. I'm sure they scored big here.
And many others haven't
T Bone Oak BluffsAnd many others haven't "scored big" on this island? The list of people making big money on this island is endless.
The classic bait and switch
Rich WtThe classic bait and switch
Please why is everybody such
Bob EdgartownPlease why is everybody such a skeptic. It very well could be that Mr. Rose was so worn down by this whole process that he’s exhausted and wanted to cash in. This is something that the Island needed and we should be thanking Mr. Rose for willing to go through the process. The long-term play for Mr. Rose would’ve been to hang onto this business as it might not be a cash cow but it certainly will be something worth milking for a long time. Thank you Mr. Rose
The island needs a pot store
Mark EdgartownThe island needs a pot store just as much as it needs a casino. Neither fit the character of MV.
Pot and Islanders go together
Dr Spaceman OBPot and Islanders go together like Peas and Carrots
I don't know why everyone is
James Kozak Vineyard HavenI don't know why everyone is whining and moaning about the "straw man" Mr. Rose legally selling a legal business.
This happens every day on MV.
You all need reminding Mr. Rose's application was approved on it's merits, not in some lifetime assurance of he as it's representative.
By this standard, I want Mocha Mott's, the Harbor View Hotel, Back Door Donuts, HomePort Restaurant, et al, to return ownership to original owners.
Is this a joke or just the
Don Pesh Oak BluffsIs this a joke or just the height of hypocrisy? You have a company claiming to be involved in “addiction treatment” selling pot, pure THC edibles, and vaporized pot products to kids. Are you serious? Oh, I forgot, we need to dumb down our youth a little more, right?
The minimum age to purchase
MV 02539The minimum age to purchase marijuana in MA is 21.
Thanks for creating a more
Chad Herndon ChappyThanks for creating a more mellow, tolerant and healthy island, Mr. Rose. You also help all of us who sell munchies for a living.
Wind Turbines and Marijuana..
Ken Rusczyk Oak BluffsWind Turbines and Marijuana....we talk about it. We vote for it. We support them....but we just can't seem to get it done. Maybe someday....?
It really makes you wonder
Scorched Earth OB most of the time but not alwaysIt really makes you wonder when people will push back on a legal marijuana store , which is a legal healing medicine. While at the same time mopeds are still allowed to be rented, which hurt and kill people every summer, and Scallops continue to be unprotected in Cape Poge.
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