The West Tisbury select board unanimously approved the transfer of Fine Fettle's marijuana dispensary on State Road to Black Harbor Group, marking a pivotal shift for one of the Island's two cannabis retailers. This change comes as Fine Fettle winds down operations amid financial challenges, with the new owners committing to resolve longstanding compliance issues within six months. The decision ensures continuity for recreational and medical marijuana sales on Martha's Vineyard while addressing regulatory hurdles that have plagued the local industry.
Approval Hinges on Swift Regulatory Fixes
Fine Fettle has operated along State Road in West Tisbury since 2021, serving as the Island's sole legal commercial grow facility and first retail outlet. The select board conditioned approval on Black Harbor Group bringing the property into full compliance with Cannabis Control Commission rules, particularly external lighting violations enforced by the Martha's Vineyard Commission. Town administrator Jennifer Rand outlined the board's firm stance: a letter will notify the new owners that failure to comply within six months risks revocation of operating rights, including potential cease-and-desist orders.
Erin Riley, attorney for Black Harbor Group, expressed confidence in meeting the deadline. She noted the condition would encourage cooperation among all parties, including the landlord, to select an appropriate lighting vendor. Black Harbor Group, formed as a Massachusetts LLC in early July, lists managers Monica Dean, Jamarhl Crawford, Kendall Mills, and Cornell Mills—all mainland residents per state filings. The company offered few specifics on future operations during Wednesday's meeting and did not respond to comment requests by deadline.
Reviving an Industry Hit by Closures and State Restrictions
Fine Fettle's May announcement to halt cultivation and close for financial reasons triggered widespread disruption. As the Island's only licensed grower, its shutdown stranded Island Time, the other dispensary, which relied on locally grown marijuana under prior state rules prohibiting off-Island sourcing. Island Time shuttered for weeks, forcing retailers on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket to petition the Cannabis Control Commission for change.
In June, the commission approved transporting marijuana across state waters for the first time, easing supply constraints. This regulatory pivot, born of local necessity, underscores the tensions between insular cannabis policies and economic viability for remote communities. Fine Fettle owner Benjamin Zachs and Black Harbor representatives now aim to rebuild, with Riley affirming their intent to follow all town rules and integrate into the community fabric.
Implications for Island Cannabis Access
The transfer preserves on-Island retail for both recreational and medical users, stabilizing access after months of uncertainty. Compliance with lighting and other regulations will test Black Harbor's resolve, potentially setting precedents for future operators amid scrutiny from local bodies like the Martha's Vineyard Commission. Successful revitalization could bolster the local economy and normalize cannabis as part of Island commerce, while ongoing state oversight highlights the delicate balance between control and commerce in emerging markets.
