By Aaron Miller-
Marijuana in the form of flower buds, pre-rolls, vapes, and edibles will be available filling up your car. The news was announced by Green Thumb Industries, a cannabis manufacturer, on Wednesday who revealed that they were partnering with Circle K to create at 10 ‘RISE Express’ dispensaries.
Starting in 2023, the test and learn phase of Green Thumb’s rollout will begin with about 10 RISE Express-branded dispensaries adjacent to Circle K stores in various Florida locations, notes a statement from the company. Circle K has about 600 locations in the state.
Financial terms of the deal and the locations of the planned stores have not been disclosed.
Once operational, the stores — which will have separate entrances, but be inside the same building, will offer registered medical marijuana patients a selection of branded cannabis products that include flower, pre-rolls, gummies and vapes. The cannabis for the products will come from Green Thumb’s new 28-acre cultivation facility in Ocala, Fla., expected to be operational by year’s end.
Cannabis o remains illegal in the state and possessing less than 20 grams of the drug is ordinarily punishable by a year in jail and a $1,370 fine upon conviction
There will be separate entrances from those of the normal gas station, although the cannabis will be sold alongside standard products like tobacco and snacks.
The products will be made at 28-acre facility in Ocala, Florida that is on track to open at the end of this year.
News of the gas stations partnering with the cannabis firm was confirmed by Ben Kovler, the founder and CEO of Green Thumb, who said that the partnership will make 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’.
However, the owner of Circle K, Alimentation Couche-Tard say cannabis will not be for sale in the gas stations per se, but instead available in a separate store adjacent to the stations.
The Florida Department of Health stated that it is currently legal for people to buy and use cannabis in a medical capacity in the state, however, the drug does remain illegal at a federal level.
There are around 560,000 people in Florida who have a card granting them access to medical marijuana.
“The opening of RISE Express stores at Circle K locations is a game-changer,” Kovler added. “Convenience is a strong channel in retail, and people want more access to cannabis.”News of the new gas station offering comes after President Biden announced that he is pardoning anyone currently convicted for the simple use or possession of cannabis.
He wrote on Twitter: “As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach.
“We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense.”
It has been estimated that 6,500 people charged with simple possession will have their lives transformed by the federal pardon.
The president said that the change will make it easier for these people to gain employment, housing and other necessities.