Marijuana coming to Circle K gas stations, a first for cannabis industry

Floridians will quickly have the option to purchase marijuana merchandise together with cigarettes and snacks at Circle K gas stations, in accordance to Green Thumb Industries, one of many largest U.S. cannabis producers. 

Under a new partnership between the businesses, beginning subsequent yr weed shall be offered at 10 “RISE Express” dispensaries with separate entrances from the gas stations, Chicago-based Green Thumb introduced on Wednesday. Depending on how shoppers reply, the cannabis retailer “could expand to more Circle K locations,” Ben Kovler, the corporate’s CEO, instructed CBS MoneyWatch Friday in an e-mail.

Circle K’s proprietor, Alimentation Couche-Tard, has greater than 7,000 shops in 47 states, with 642 areas in Florida, in accordance to its website. 

The Quebec, Canada-based firm confirmed the settlement for Green Thumb to lease adjoining area to its shops in Florida. “To be clear, Circle K is not selling cannabis in its U.S. stores,” a spokesperson instructed CBS MoneyWatch in an e-mail.

The settlement with Circle K is “the first example of premium cannabis retail being offered in one of the largest convenience store chains in the country,” Kovler emailed. “Convenience stores are one of the fastest growing shopping verticals and we’re excited to meet cannabis consumers where they are.”

Among the merchandise that shall be for sale are marijuana flower, pre-rolls, gummies and vapes, which Green Thumb will provide from a 28-acre facility the corporate is constructing in Ocala, Florida, that is slated to be up and working by the top of 2022.

The cope with Circle K 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,” in accordance to Kovler.

Still unlawful on the federal degree, marijuana is offered legally in Florida for medical use, with almost 560,000 Floridians at the moment possessing a medical marijuana card, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Marijuana is offered in stand-alone dispensaries in elements of the U.S. which have legalized it, with cannabis allowed for medical use in 37 states and for grownup leisure use in 19 others, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.