Multi-state cannabis operator Green Thumb Industries Inc. teamed up with Circle K Stores an American chain of convenience stores.
Under the deal, Green Thumb will sell licensed cannabis at Circle K gas stations in Florida.
Financial terms between the two parties weren’t disclosed, but it was noted that Green Thumb will lease space from Circle K locations.
The sales will start in 2023 at 10 of the company’s 600 locations in the Sunshine State.
Bloomberg pointed out that is a global first, as marijuana has been legally sold only in dispensaries in the U.S. and in pharmacies in countries that have legal cannabis programs like Germany or Uruguay.
The sales should “continue to normalize” cannabis fusing it with standard consumer products, Green Thumb CEO Ben Kovler said. “This is a futuristic deal.”
Seeing marijuana at stations where people usually buy snacks and cigarettes could open the way for the plant to become fully mainstream.
The cannabis company’s outlets will be branded as “RISE Express” stores and will have a separate entrance from the gas station.
With Florida having legal only medical cannabis, sales will be limited to residents with medical marijuana cards, which is about 700,000 people.
Kovler added that “there’s appetite” from Circle K to expand partnerships across other states.
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