| WORCESTER—A week after hosting a public meeting to hear testimony from residents of Dukes County and Nantucket, the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) voted 4-0 Thursday to issue an Administrative Order authorizing transport of marijuana and marijuana products over state territorial waters to and from adult-use Marijuana Establishments and Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers on the islands. The order took effect at 12 a.m. on Friday, June 14.
“The Commission appreciated the serious concerns raised by patients, certifying healthcare providers, adult consumers, and local businesses, who each highlighted the importance of maintaining access to regulated marijuana and marijuana products on the islands,” Acting Chair Ava Callender Concepcion said. “It is clear to all of us that this issue is a matter of public health, safety, and equity; as the result of this order, licensees will continue to play a key role in upholding these industry pillars with a new authority to transport legal products to and from businesses on Dukes County and Nantucket.”
The Administrative Order comes in response to ongoing federal marijuana prohibition which prevents the transport of marijuana and marijuana products to and from mainland Massachusetts licensees to island licensees. In recent weeks, stakeholders who reside or work in Dukes County and Nantucket have highlighted the growing risk to patient and adult access posed by a lack of product availability from island licensees.
Once it takes effect, the Commission’s Administrative Order will allow adult-use Marijuana Establishments and Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers to transport marijuana and marijuana products only over state territorial waters, which is defined as those navigable within the boundaries of the Commonwealth as identified in the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Map published by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. |
