I am writing to improve the community’s understanding related to the licensing, permitting and cultivation, processing and dispensing of medical marijuana.

Patient Centric of Martha’s Vineyard is licensed and regulated by the Department of Public Health (DPH). The registered marijuana dispensary will be built for the sole purpose of cultivating, processing and dispensing marijuana to patients who possess a medical marijuana card issued by the DPH.

Before receiving the license, we were required to be in compliance with the extensive DPH regulations, including locating the dispensary beyond 500 feet from a school. Also, we made sure that were well within compliance when applying for the special permit in West Tisbury. Our application includes the installation of motion detecting infrared lighting that generates no light.

All cultivation and processing will be indoors due to DPH regulations and take place in a separate windowless area with its own comprehensive security system.

Based on independent research, the total number of patients at the end of the third year of operations is expected to be near 400. Access to the dispensary will be by appointment only. Entrance to the 800-square-foot dispensary will require that the patient’s card be scanned electronically from outside the building before the door is unlocked.

We have worked closely with Champlain Valley Dispensary in Burlington, Vt., holder of two medical marijuana dispensary licenses for almost three years. Their history has shown that the average time a patient spends in the dispensary is 10 minutes. This will result in seven patients per hour, considerably less than the average on-Island pharmacy.

We are committed to an ongoing educational program for patients and the community at large, including addressing both the appropriate and inappropriate use of cannabis.

The licensing for adult recreational use, recently passed by voters, will have an entirely separate process and require future vetting by both the DPH and local authorities.

We look forward to carrying out our mission to provide the highest quality cannabis and related services in a safe and dignified setting.

Geoff Rose
Oak Bluffs