It took until 2022, but your teenage dreams are finally coming true. Weed is soon to become available at Circle K gas stations.
Cannabis has come a long way since its humble beginnings. So far, in fact, it has come full circle … K. Instead of buying black market pot from the guy (or girl) perennially glued to the side wall of the establishment, buyers are being invited with open arms into the building to purchase their dime bags.
However, the initial rollout will only cover Florida locations. Additionally, only medical marijuana patients will be eligible buyers as the state has not approved recreational use.
Green Thumb and Circle K Team Up
Green Thumb Industries Inc., a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, announced Wednesday it plans to expand its medical retail footprint in Florida through a lease agreement with Circle K, the global convenience store retailer.
Starting in 2023, Green Thumb plans to launch its test and learn phase of the rollout with approximately ten “RISE Express” branded dispensaries adjacent to Circle K stores in various Florida locations.
Through the exclusive agreement, Green Thumb can lease space from Circle K in Florida, where the retailer currently operates approximately 600 locations. The “RISE Express” stores will offer patients a selection of branded cannabis products including RYTHM premium flower, Dogwalkers pre-rolls, Incredibles gummies and Shine vapes.
For Your Convenience
“The opening of RISE Express stores at Circle K locations is a game-changer,” said Green Thumb Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler. “Convenience is a strong channel in retail, and people want more access to cannabis.
“The new RISE Express model is a huge step forward in making it easier and more efficient for patients to purchase high-quality cannabis as part of their everyday routine when stopping by their local convenience store.”
The products available at these retail stores will come from the company’s new 28-acre cultivation facility in Ocala that will be operational by the end of 2022.
Green Thumb entered the Florida market in 2018 and currently owns and operates medical cannabis retail stores in Bonita Springs, Deerfield Beach, Hallandale Beach, Kendall, Oviedo, Pinellas Park and West Palm Beach. The company also has an existing cultivation and processing facility in Homestead.
According to the Florida Department of Health, over 700,000 Floridians are currently registered active cardholders in the state’s medical marijuana program. For more information on Florida’s medical marijuana program, visit www.knowthefactsmmj.com.