The exclusive island of Martha's Vineyard in the USA has been threatened by a cannabis shortage.
Now, it is to be resolved by shipping the drug, which is legal in the state of Massachusetts, on special boats.
On Martha's Vineyard, there are over 230 registered users of medical marijuana – and thousands of recreational users. However, the exclusive island has struggled with a cannabis shortage this spring, despite the state of Massachusetts legalising its use over seven years ago.
The problem so far has been that the authorities in the state have not allowed the transportation of cannabis to the state's islands by boat or plane, fearing it would risk conflicting with federal laws.
However, after Martha's Vineyard's two cannabis retailers announced that small-scale cultivation was no longer economically viable, the rules have now been changed.
I can barely contain myself until I can reopen. My employees are ecstatic, says Geoff Rose, owner of one of the companies.
The local authorities in Massachusetts have, however, taken precautions: the cannabis can only be transported via a route that lies entirely within the state's territorial waters. This means it cannot be transported on the regular ferry, but must be freighted on alternative boats.
