Some Florida Circle K gas stations will look a little different starting next year. The company has signed an agreement with Green Thumb Industries to open cannabis dispensaries adjacent to convenience stores.
Both will start small with a “test and learn phase” in 2023 with the opening of approximately 10 Rise Express dispensaries. Green Thumb Industries wants to expand its medical retail footprint in the state, where Circle K operates about 600 locations. Florida has over 700,000 people active in the medical marijuana program.
Ben Kovler, founder and CEO of Green Thumb Industries, called the deal and Rise Express stores a “game changer.” He also said it would be easier “for patients to purchase high-quality cannabis as part of their daily routine while stopping by their local convenience store.” The new Rise Express stores will sell various products, such as flowers, pre-rolls, gummies, and vapes.
The sale of marijuana remains illegal under US federal law; however, there has been a successful effort to decriminalize it at the state level. Florida is one of many that allow it for medical purposes. It remains illegal in more than a dozen states.
Green Thumb Industries, which has been operating in Florida since 2018 and is headquartered in Chicago, will source produce from its new grow center in Ocala in the Sunshine State. The 28-acre facility will be operational by the end of the year. The company operates in 15 US markets, including 17 manufacturing plants and 77 retail outlets, employing approximately 4,000 people.
This isn’t Circle K’s first foray into partnering with a cannabis company. In October last year, Circle K’s parent company Alimentation Couche-Tard signed a similar deal with cannabis retail stores Fire and Flower in Canada. Alimentation Couche-Tard invested in Fire & Flower in 2019. The deal saw the opening of dispensaries adjacent to convenience stores.
Green Thumb Industries did not specify what would happen after the “learning and testing phase”. However, if successful, it will likely expand statewide and, eventually, the country. The majority of US states now allow its sale and consumption.
Some Florida Circle K gas stations will look a little different starting next year. The company has signed an agreement with Green Thumb Industries to open cannabis dispensaries adjacent to convenience stores.
Both will start small with a “test and learn phase” in 2023 with the opening of approximately 10 Rise Express dispensaries. Green Thumb Industries wants to expand its medical retail footprint in the state, where Circle K operates about 600 locations. Florida has over 700,000 people active in the medical marijuana program.
Ben Kovler, founder and CEO of Green Thumb Industries, called the deal and Rise Express stores a “game changer.” He also said it would be easier “for patients to purchase high-quality cannabis as part of their daily routine while stopping by their local convenience store.” The new Rise Express stores will sell various products, such as flowers, pre-rolls, gummies, and vapes.
The sale of marijuana remains illegal under US federal law; however, there has been a successful effort to decriminalize it at the state level. Florida is one of many that allow it for medical purposes. It remains illegal in more than a dozen states.
Green Thumb Industries, which has been operating in Florida since 2018 and is headquartered in Chicago, will source produce from its new grow center in Ocala in the Sunshine State. The 28-acre facility will be operational by the end of the year. The company operates in 15 US markets, including 17 manufacturing plants and 77 retail outlets, employing approximately 4,000 people.
This isn’t Circle K’s first foray into partnering with a cannabis company. In October last year, Circle K’s parent company Alimentation Couche-Tard signed a similar deal with cannabis retail stores Fire and Flower in Canada. Alimentation Couche-Tard invested in Fire & Flower in 2019. The deal saw the opening of dispensaries adjacent to convenience stores.
Green Thumb Industries did not specify what would happen after the “learning and testing phase”. However, if successful, it will likely expand statewide and, eventually, the country. The majority of US states now allow its sale and consumption.