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

Beginning next year, Green Thumb plans to launch its initial phase of the rollout with around 10 “RISE Express” dispensaries adjacent to Circle K stores at various locations throughout Florida.

Bloomberg reports that as a dispensary located inside or adjacent to a gas station, it will be “a global first.” The only other locations where cannabis is sold legally is through regulated standalone dispensaries or inside pharmacies in a few select countries.

Although they will be located in separate buildings, the Circle K and RISE express dispensaries will share separate entrances.

Green Thumb, which has approximately 600 stores in Florida can now lease space from Circle K under this agreement. 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.

“The opening of RISE Express stores at Circle K locations is a game-changer. Convenience is a strong channel in retail, and people want more access to cannabis,” said Green Thumb Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler. “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.”

Kovler was selected to receive the 2021 chronic news 100 award for his efforts in the cannabis sector.

Green Thumb, a Chicago-based company, was established in 2014. It has opened 17 manufacturing plants and 77 retail locations across the 15 U.S. states. 

These retail shops will sell products made at Ocala’s new 28-acre cultivation plant. It will become operational at the end 2022. 

Green Thumb was established in Florida in 2018. It currently has medical cannabis retail outlets in Bonita Springs (Deerfield Beach), Hallandale Beach (Hallandale Beach), Kendall, Kendall, Oviedo Pinellas Park, West Palm Beach and Hallandale Beach. Green Thumb has an established Homestead cultivation and processing center.

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.

Circle K Canada

Before most other retail outlets, the gas station chain was one of the first to embrace cannabis. While it’s common to find CBD and hemp-derived products in some gas stations, THC is an entirely different story, as it’s regulated at the state level. Circle K Canada’s leadership has been involved in cannabis markets multiple times.

In 2019, owner of the Circle K chain of retail stores, Canada’s multinational convenience-store business Alimentation Couche-Tard announced that it invested in Fire & Flower Holdings Corp., owners of the Fire & Flower Inc. cannabis retailer in Canada.

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