Photo: Duke's County Sheriff's Office
EDGARTOWN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A battle between a federal and state law is at the root of a cannabis shortage on Martha’s Vineyard, causing difficulties for one pot small business operation on the island.
Fine Fettle is the name of the business, and these problems for the business cause a domino effect situation, as Fine Fettle was the primary supplier of cannabis products for other dispensaries on the island because it is illegal to ship cannabis products over federal waters. Fine Fettle recently closed their doors, which now puts additional suppliers in deep trouble.
Read More: Day 21 Karen Read Murder Trial: State Investigator Returns To The Stand
“We need to come up with a solution so that we all have access [to cannabis},” said an affected employee in a hearing to the Cannabis Control Commission on the Vineyard earlier this week.
Business owners believe that the commission should allow pot to be shipped over federal waters, because they are under a mandate from the state’s cannabis law, which allows cannabis access to all citizens in Massachusetts despite the federal ban.
The CCC has responded by saying that the mandate is out of their control.
The ban particularly raises concerns for those on the island who depend on cannabis for their medical needs, and while the state law guarantees access to Massachusetts residents, it doesn’t override federal law, at least for now.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok