This is a developing story. The Florida Department of Health has not yet responded to Cannabis Business Times’ request for comment.
Following Green Thumb Industries (GTI) and Circle K’s partnership announcement last week, Florida Department of Health officials told the Washington Examiner the state has yet to approve allowing consumers to purchase cannabis at gas stations and that the stores “remain subject to regulatory approval.”
“Florida has never approved a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center to operate out of a gas station,” a spokesperson from the Department of Health told the Washington Examiner.
The partnership would allow GTI, owner of RISE Dispensaries, to open 10 “RISE Express” dispensary locations adjacent to Circle K stores throughout Florida, Cannabis Business Times previously reported.
However, state health officials said, “the opening of RISE Express stores remains subject to regulatory approval, and sales will be exclusively to Florida patients with a valid medical marijuana identification card.”
