Green Thumb to Launch “RISE Express” Dispensaries at Florida Circle K gas stations

CHICAGO and VANCOVER, British Colombia (GLOBAL NEWSWIRE) — Green Thumb Industries Inc., a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of RISE Dispensaries, announced plans to expand its medical retail footprint in Florida through a lease agreement with Circle K, the global convenience store retailer.

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In a news release, Green Thumb said that it 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. This is all expected to start in 2023.

Through the 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 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.”

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The products available at retail stores will come from the Company’s new 28-acre cultivation facility in Ocala, which the company said will be operational by the end of 2022.

According to the news release, 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.

The DOH sent Action News Jax the following statement about the proposed partnership between Green Thumb and Circle K:

“As the regulatory authority over medical marijuana in the state we would like to take this time to clarify one important fact concerning this proposed partnership. This project has not been approved by the State. Florida has never approved a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center to operate out of a gas station.”

For more information on Florida’s medical marijuana program, visit www.knowthefactsmmj.com.

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