Granny’s Attic has awarded $110,000 to island health-related organizations, but among the grants for Vashon Community Care and the newly opened Neighborcare Health clinic was $3,000 for the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness. The reason for the funds? Medical marijuana.

Just over two months ago, Vashon’s only medical marijuana dispensary closed its doors due to a change in state law that essentially combined medical and recreational marijuana sales and required medical dispensaries to abide by the same stringent rules and regulations imposed on recreational stores. With the state offering only a few hundred permits, most medical dispensaries in Washington closed their doors. The closure of the island dispensary caused many to wonder what would happen to the island population of those dealing with physical and mental illnesses who relied on medical marijuana to help them cope.

The Interfaith Council took a step to answer that question and provide funding for medical marijuana, something other nonprofits cannot do because of the federal government’s regulation of marijuana. Organizations that would normally address the needs of underserved and needy island populations, such as Vashon Youth & Family Services, cannot touch the subject of medical marijuana because they receive federal funding (Medicare). The Interfaith Council does not.

Janet Kime, Granny’s Attic board president, said that the grannies have a long history with the council and while the request was out of the ordinary, it was approved after a Granny’s Attic member stepped up and talked about how medical marijuana has helped her.

“It’s in such an odd position because of federal regulations,” Kime said. “This seemed to be a good workaround. It was a first for us.”

She continued to say that one of the “real values” of the Interfaith Council is its ability to do unconventional things.

Vashon has dozens of nonprofit organizations that address a whole host of issues, and the Granny’s Attic grant program offers a glimpse into the small part of those nonprofits that deal with health. From the conventional — the new Neighborcare Health clinic — to the unconventional, the grants help support the well-being of island residents by providing funding where traditional means fall short.