Ad for 'Act Natural' deliveries triggers town council review, advisory committee says

The Chair of the Cannabis Advisory Committee reported that an online advertisement for a vendor called Act Natural appears to be offering cannabis deliveries to Nantucket customers, and that Town Manager Libby Gibson has referred the matter to the town council for review.

"Deliveries are not allowed on Nantucket, and that is part of our bylaw," the Chair said during the Nov. 20 remote meeting. The committee viewed the ad together and noted it displayed a $10 delivery fee and a $100 minimum order requirement.

Committee members discussed how deliveries could be addressed in existing host agreements with the island—s two dispensaries and in the zoning bylaw. One member observed that if town leaders intend to allow deliveries, "it would be good if the town broadcast that so the playing field would be leveled for everyone else." The Chair said he had emailed Town Manager Libby Gibson and that she had sent the matter to town council.

Members also raised the question of enforcement if deliveries were occurring without local authorization. The Chair said enforcement would likely fall to public health authorities and noted that council member Nicole Costanza has legal expertise on marijuana issues and was the appropriate person to provide a definitive interpretation.

The committee discussed procedural requirements if the town chooses to authorize deliveries: state or emergency delivery rules alone would not change local restrictions, the committee said, and any change would likely require a select-board-sponsored zoning bylaw article. The Chair reminded members that a bylaw amendment would need an article filed by January to be considered on the usual warrant.

The advisory committee did not take formal action at the meeting. Members said they would await the town council—s review and offered to assist with drafting language or to convene a special meeting if the council requests the committee—s input.