Circle K locations to open RISE dispensaries with Green Thumb Industries

Buying cannabis will soon be as convenient as a quick stop at the local Circle K. Today, Green Thumb Industries, owner of RISE Dispensaries, announced plans to expand its presence in the Florida medical cannabis market through an agreement with Circle K.

Starting next year, Green Thumb plans to begin phase one of the rollout with approximately 10 RISE Express dispensaries alongside Circle K stores in various locations throughout Florida.

Bloomberg reports that it will be “a world first” as a pharmacy located inside or next to a gas station. The only other places where cannabis is legally sold are in regulated stand-alone dispensaries or pharmacies in a select few countries.

Pharmacy Circle K and RISE Express will have separate entrances but will be in the same building.

Under the terms of the agreement, Green Thumb will be able to lease space from Circle K in Florida, which has approximately 600 locations. RISE Express stores will offer patients a selection of branded cannabis products including RYTHM Premium Flower, Dogwalkers Pre-Rolls, Incredibles Gummies and &Shine Vapes.

“The opening of RISE Express stores in Circle K locations is a game changer. Convenience is a strong retail channel, and people want more access to cannabis,” said Ben Kovler, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Green Thumb. “The new RISE Express model is a major step forward in making it easier and more efficient for patients to purchase high-quality cannabis as part of their daily routine when they stop by their local grocery store.”

Kovler was selected for the 2021 High Times 100 award for his contributions to the cannabis space.

Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Green Thumb was founded in 2014 and has since opened 17 manufacturing facilities and 77 open retail locations and operations in 15 US markets.

The products available in these retail stores will be produced at a new 28-acre cultivation facility in Ocala, which 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. Green Thumb is also an existing cultivation and processing facility in Homestead.

According to the Florida Department of Health, over 700,000 Floridans 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.

Circle K and Canada

The gas station chain embraced cannabis long before most similar retail chains took advantage of it. While it’s common to find CBD and hemp-derived products at some gas stations, THC is a completely different story as it’s regulated at the state level. Circle K’s leadership in Canada has dabbled in the cannabis market on numerous occasions.

In 2019, Alimentation Couche-Tard, owner of retail chain Circle K, Canada’s multinational convenience store company, announced that it was investing in Fire & Flower Holdings Corp., owner of Canadian cannabis retailer Fire & Flower Inc.

Fire & Flower also sold gift cards at Circle K locations that can be used to purchase cannabis. Fire & Flower Dispensaries announced cannabis gift cards sold at several third-party retailers, including Circle K. The locations are located in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan, and as of January 2021 there are approximately 300 locations carrying the cards . The cards are available in amounts ranging from $25 to $100. Visit the Fire & Flower website for more information on the locations.

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