Fact Check: Will Marijuana be Sold in Florida Gas Stations in 2023?

People with a prescription for medical marijuana use in Florida may have a more convenient avenue for purchasing the item next year.

Recreational marijuana use is still illegal in the Sunshine State, but medical use is legal. Dispensaries must be licensed to sell medical marijuana, and the patient must be diagnosed with a qualifying condition to receive a prescription from a doctor licensed to prescribe medical marijuana.

Diseases and illnesses qualifying a patient for medical marijuana use include Lou Gehrig's disease, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, Crohn's disease and HIV/AIDS, among others.

The Daily Loud tweeted Wednesday that Circle K announced a partnership with Chicago-based Green Thumb Industries to sell marijuana out of select Circle K locations in Florida.

The Claim

"Circle K will now sell Marijuana out of their gas stations in Florida starting next year," hip-hop news outlet Daily Loud tweeted Wednesday morning.

The tweet has received more than 4,400 retweets and more than 38,200 likes.

The Facts

Green Thumb Industries confirmed the announcement in an email sent to Newsweek.

"This exclusive agreement with Circle K is a tremendous milestone for Green Thumb and the first example of premium cannabis retail being offered in one of the largest convenience store chains in the country," GTI CEO Ben Kovler said in a statement. "Over 88% of cigarettes are sold at convenience stores and gas stations while 0% of cannabis is sold in this channel today. Our Rise Express locations will provide accessible high-quality cannabis products, including Rythm, Dogwalkers and Incredibles, and we look forward to serving new patients in one of the fastest growing retail channels."

Several news sources have since reported on the information. CNN Business said that the pilot program will be a partnership between Green Thumb Industries and Circle K convenience stores and gas stations. Green Thumb's RISE Express dispensary will open adjacent to a small number of Florida Circle K locations in 2023; out of 600 Circle K locations in Florida, 10 will include the adjacent dispensary.

RISE Express offers a variety of cannabis products, such as flower, edibles, vapes and other options for those with a prescription for medical marijuana.

"As more Americans say yes to well-being through cannabis, our Rise Express stores help these consumers gain easy access to safe, tested premium cannabis products," Kovler said. "Convenience stores are one of the fastest growing shopping verticals and we're excited to meet cannabis consumers where they are. We believe the holistic benefits of cannabis should be accessible to everyone."

Other news outlets reporting on the announcement include Bloomberg, CBS News, Fox News and the Washington Examiner.

Newsweek reached out to Circle K and a drug legalization expert from Stanford University for comment but has not heard back yet.

According to the Florida State Information System regarding the state's cannabis laws, more than 750,000 Floridians possess active medical marijuana cards. Over 2,500 doctors are certified to prescribe medical marijuana, and there were over 450 marijuana dispensaries in Florida permitted to sell medical marijuana as of September.

The Ruling

Needs Context.

FACT CHECK BY NEWSWEEK

The claim that medical marijuana will be sold out of a dispensary adjacent to some of Circle K's Florida gas station is true, but the tweet by Daily Loud also needs context. Circle K will not be selling the medical marijuana; a certified dispensary located alongside Circle K will sell the item.